the aboriginal problem in the west, page-134

G'Day BIGSKY,
You summed it all up pretty well, mate.
On education levels, I do know entry standards have been dropped in certain theatres where Aboriginal entry was particularly desired. That could be done in the services as well, surely, with education levels improved by training within the services.
With so many NON-indigenous youth also off the track today, I have thought that re-introducing National Service might help. But you would have to be a brave polly to suggest it.
2 years, or even 18 months National Service training for everyone, regardless of race, at the age of 18, but not for combat. Train them, educate them, teach them discipline.
At the end of that period, give them the option to carry on in the regular army. I know those from the tribal lands, who would not have English skills, would not be able to participate, but they are not the main problem, are they?
The real problemical indigenous youth are the ones already on the fringes of our society.
So, re "The question is would the "kids" want to be part of it.", dont give them the option -make them....

The remote sttlements would have to be dealt with a bit differently. you mention that tribal laws are no longer effective. Part of that is due to the clash between our laws and the tribal laws. The elders have lost the power they once had to impose rather draconian punishments, to a degree, because our laws prohibit them. So they have lost the clout that once kept all in line. And yes, the youth have had their belief in matters tribal somewhat shaken.
I remember many years back in Wiluna, WA, literally thousands from various desert communities congregated in town for a couple of funerals and the "whistle-cockings" (initiations). It was even reported in the regional press that the majority of those males selected to become men took to the scrub & boycotted the event. They decided they didnt want to be men if it meant having their willy trimmed with a bit of glass and then being bannished into the wilderness until healing was complete.
The effect of that was that those guys were then to be not allowed to see sacred objects, rituals, or learn tribal "secrets" to which only the initiated had access. They were thus on a par with Aboriginal women. They could never become elders. I do know of one guy who was literally kidnapped and forced through initiation when he was in his 50's, and finished up as a successful Native Title lobbyist/ negotiator. the elders needed him to become an elder, and gave him no option.

Everything seems to vary from area to area. You mentioned the coastal communities. They DO seem to be working much better, at least in the Kimberley. My daughter used to visit them in the course of her work. She loved them -the people and the locations. Sadly, the desert communities lack the setting of the coastal ones.
The more one thinks about the problems caused by cultural differences....and problems caused by loss of culture...the more one's head hurts.
I think we agree there is no easy solution beyond somehow giving them back their dignity and purpose that was lost through forcing them into welfare & settlements. But I certainly dont know how.
I remember (maybe 30 years ago?), they found a "lost tribe" out in the desert. Actually it wasnt a whole tribe, just a family group, and they werent lost, really, just had been avoiding contact with whites and others, and were happy to be doing their nomadic thing. So what happened?
They were brought into Wiluna by Native Welfare "for their own good" and settled. The papers carried their pictures.
No rolls of fat on any, I'll tell you.
The punchline is that I was rather saddened (?) years later to read of the death of the head of the "clan" at Wiluna, reportedly ravaged by alcohol.
If that was true, we sure saved them, didnt we?


GZ