Aboriginal australia before colonisation
Much debate exists among researchers about when the ancestors of Aboriginal Australians arrived on the continent. While most agree that Aboriginal people first migrated from Africa via Asia approximately 50,000 years ago, some estimates date their arrival as far back as 125,000 years ago.
The map to the left shows the regions where the approximately 300 indigenous languages were spoken, but most have disappeared and all but 20 are seen to be endangered languages.
The arrival of the first fleet in 1788 brought diseases such as small pox, which decimated the Aboriginal population. The estimated population of 1million Aboriginal people had been reduced to 125,000 by 1850.
How would the decimation of the Aboriginal populations and languages impact on those Aboriginals who survived?
The map to the left shows the regions where the approximately 300 indigenous languages were spoken, but most have disappeared and all but 20 are seen to be endangered languages.
The arrival of the first fleet in 1788 brought diseases such as small pox, which decimated the Aboriginal population. The estimated population of 1million Aboriginal people had been reduced to 125,000 by 1850.
How would the decimation of the Aboriginal populations and languages impact on those Aboriginals who survived?
early treatment of indigenous australians
The images above show many levels of racism perpetrated by white settlers from slavery in chains, to exploited and extremely underpaid workers and to forced movement to reserves and settlements, which were infamous for over-population and terrible health standards. In the settlements men and women were separated, mothers and children were separated. All this in the name of 'civilisation'.
When these photos were taken, what do you think people thought about Aboriginal people and culture?
When these photos were taken, what do you think people thought about Aboriginal people and culture?
Oombulgurri massacre
Follow the link below to the account of the Forrest River massacre referred to in No Sugar. The justice system found that 11 people had been killed while other eye-witness accounts say as many as 300 Aboriginal people were killed after 1 pastoralist was killed by a local Aboriginal man.
racist colonial laws...some examples only
· "1816 Martial Law (NSW). This proclamation declared Martial Law against Indigenous Australians who could then be shot on sight if armed with spears, or even unarmed, if they were within a certain distance of houses or settlements
· 1824 (Tasmania). Settlers are authorised to shoot Aboriginal peoples
· 1840 (NSW). Indigenous Australians forbidden to use firearms without the permission of a Justice of the Peace
· 1869 (Victoria). The Board for the Protection of Aborigines is established. The Governor can order the removal of any child to a reformatory or industrial school
· 1890 (NSW). In a denial of human rights the Aborigines Protection Board could forcibly take children off reserves and "resocialise" them.
· 1902 Commonwealth Electoral Act gave women the vote in federal elections, but Section 4 of the Act states: No Aboriginal native of Australia, Africa or the Islands of the Pacific except New Zealand shall be entitled to have his name placed on an Electoral Roll"
· 1948 Aboriginal people became Australian citizens (no longer British subjects) but this was often translated differently by different states.
http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/struggle.htm
In this context, how would Aboriginal people have developed a sense of identity?
· 1824 (Tasmania). Settlers are authorised to shoot Aboriginal peoples
· 1840 (NSW). Indigenous Australians forbidden to use firearms without the permission of a Justice of the Peace
· 1869 (Victoria). The Board for the Protection of Aborigines is established. The Governor can order the removal of any child to a reformatory or industrial school
· 1890 (NSW). In a denial of human rights the Aborigines Protection Board could forcibly take children off reserves and "resocialise" them.
· 1902 Commonwealth Electoral Act gave women the vote in federal elections, but Section 4 of the Act states: No Aboriginal native of Australia, Africa or the Islands of the Pacific except New Zealand shall be entitled to have his name placed on an Electoral Roll"
· 1948 Aboriginal people became Australian citizens (no longer British subjects) but this was often translated differently by different states.
http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/struggle.htm
In this context, how would Aboriginal people have developed a sense of identity?
'Protection'
"Colonial governments, aware of the effects of violence, of introduced diseases and of dispossession, believed that Aboriginal people were doomed to extinction and deserved protection during their remaining years. The colonies passed laws, usually called Aboriginal Protection Acts (eg Western Australia 1905), which set up authorities to place indigenous Australians on reserves to look after them. Protection laws reduced the legal status of those on reserves from British subjects to wards of the state, with members of the Protection Boards as their legal guardians. The aim of the Acts may have been protection, but in practice they gave the Boards complete power and control over the lives of the Aboriginal people under their care."
http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/struggle.htm
When thinking about more recent Australian governments, have perspectives on Aboriginal self-determination changed?
http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/struggle.htm
When thinking about more recent Australian governments, have perspectives on Aboriginal self-determination changed?
northam and the moore river native settlement
Protection laws justified the forced removal of Aboriginal people and communities. All Aboriginal people living in Northam, WA were forcibly moved to Moore River Settlement. Though it was originally designed for 80 people over 500 Aboriginal people were sent there. Mothers were separated from children and inmates were not free to come and go. Below, Northam on the map of Australia and the Hospital at the Moore River Settlement
What are the long term impacts of separating families?
What are the long term impacts of separating families?
the great depression 1929-1934
Most images and stories of the Great Depression depict the suffering of white Australians. Jack Davis is one of the first to examine the case of Aboriginal Australians.
Do you think the circumstances of Aboriginal Australians changed during the Great Depression?
Do you think the circumstances of Aboriginal Australians changed during the Great Depression?
current data on aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples
Answer the following questions, using the data from the Australian Human Rights Commission
Population
1. When were Aboriginal people first counted in the Australian population census?
2. What percentage of Australians were recorded as being Aboriginal in the 2006 census?
Language and Culture
1. What percentage of the current Aboriginal population speak an indigenous language at home?
Health
1. In 2004/5 twice as many Indigenous Australians compared with non-Indigenous Australians were likely to report their health as.....?
2. In 2003 the ABS noted a life expectation inequality gap when compared to the general Australian population of approximately how many years?
Justice
1. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) reported in 1991 that Aboriginal people were up to how many times more likely to be in prison than non-Aboriginal people?
In light of these statistics, what progress has Australia made since 1788?
Population
1. When were Aboriginal people first counted in the Australian population census?
2. What percentage of Australians were recorded as being Aboriginal in the 2006 census?
Language and Culture
1. What percentage of the current Aboriginal population speak an indigenous language at home?
Health
1. In 2004/5 twice as many Indigenous Australians compared with non-Indigenous Australians were likely to report their health as.....?
2. In 2003 the ABS noted a life expectation inequality gap when compared to the general Australian population of approximately how many years?
Justice
1. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) reported in 1991 that Aboriginal people were up to how many times more likely to be in prison than non-Aboriginal people?
In light of these statistics, what progress has Australia made since 1788?
important indigenous figures
Do your own investigation of some of the following famous Indigenous Australians.
What significant contributions have these people made to Indigenous and non-Indigenous culture?
What significant contributions have these people made to Indigenous and non-Indigenous culture?