Scott, My European ancestors didn't have to deal with rubbish either. I think that's a poor excuse for the aboriginals living in squalor instead of cleaning up their own mess.
I don't accept that possessions are an alien concept to aboriginals. If you read Buckley's account of living with aboriginals in the NSW area they had strong ownership of areas and women. They traded women and fought battles over the theft of them. They certainly protected their own things.
While I respect the good intent of those who make excuses for aboriginal behaviour I think they do a dis service by low expectations. Aboriginals can work, adapt and thrive. David Unaipon and Neville Bonner are examples of aboriginal success.
If we keep doing what we do now to remote aboriginals we will get the same result.
