Australian Aboriginals
Hey...
As part of my introduction to Australia, I thought I would talk to you about the ancient history of the Aboriginal people here. I find this stuff just so interesting!
During the Aboriginal history of Queensland, relations between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian people have always been strained. This is due to a number of conflicts, both around the time of European settlement in the 1700s and more recently. Becoming aware of the events that have occurred throughout history should help people who travel through Queensland to better understand the aboriginal history and current situation for Indigenous people they may meet during their time in Queensland.
It is thought that Indigenous people lived in what is now Queensland as far back as 80000BC, possibly first arriving from New Guinea. At this time, right up to when European settlers arrived, evidence suggests Indigenous people lived a nomadic (or semi-nomadic), hunter-gatherer lifestyle, using spears and boomerangs to kill animals for food. Rock paintings still in existence provide evidence of their lifestyle so many years ago.
European people first arrived in Queensland in the 1600s, but settlement didnt occur until the 1700s and early 1800s. Unfortunately, Europeans brought with them an array of diseases including smallpox and influenza, which many Indigenous people died from. Settlers also brought alcohol and opium, which Indigenous people had previously not been exposed to, and which many became reliant on.
Violent conflicts between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people erupted as the Non-Indigenous people attempted to develop colonies where the Indigenous lived. Vast numbers of Indigenous people were killed. Indigenous people simply wont travel to some places in Queensland now (like Port Douglas, in the far north), as they have become sacred burial sites of their forefathers. Settlers believed that Indigenous people were nomadic and therefore that moving them on to other areas would be straightforward.
However, it is now understood that Indigenous people have a strong connection to land and place and that this situation caused them great distress.
The Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime is a significant part of their aboriginal history as well. Aboriginal dreamtime stories are also a major part of the aboriginal history in Australia. In 1992, the High Court officially recognised certain land rights of Indigenous Australians before European settlement, however conflict over land rights continues today.
Many Indigenous people gradually became reliant on the settlements in the 1800s, and many were employed by white people for food and other rations (some remained independent for many years, and some tribes may even remain self-sufficient today). Christian missions also attempted to assist Indigenous people at this time, although not all of their attempts were appropriate. For instance, between 1869 and 1969, many Indigenous children were removed from their families by church missions.
They were placed within institutions or with white families.
This period is now referred to as The Stolen Generation, and is believed to have had a significantly negative impact on both previous generations and generations of Indigenous people today. For many years, Indigenous Australians were treated as an inferior race, being referred to as flora and fauna as opposed to human beings until 1965. Then they were granted permission to vote in state elections.
Interestingly, Queensland was the last state in Australia to grant this right. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Indigenous people. Many people believe has paved the way for reconciliation and integration of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
There is no denying, though, that Indigenous issues remain significant in Queensland today. Substance abuse, crime, and high unemployment are issues of concern. Most Australians celebrate Australia Day in January each year. However, a significant number of Indigenous people use this day as a day to protest against their situation, labelling this day Invasion Day.
This often creates further feelings of unrest and divergence between the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples.
Until next time.....
Colin Burnett
The Aussie Apprentice
As part of my introduction to Australia, I thought I would talk to you about the ancient history of the Aboriginal people here. I find this stuff just so interesting!
During the Aboriginal history of Queensland, relations between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian people have always been strained. This is due to a number of conflicts, both around the time of European settlement in the 1700s and more recently. Becoming aware of the events that have occurred throughout history should help people who travel through Queensland to better understand the aboriginal history and current situation for Indigenous people they may meet during their time in Queensland.
It is thought that Indigenous people lived in what is now Queensland as far back as 80000BC, possibly first arriving from New Guinea. At this time, right up to when European settlers arrived, evidence suggests Indigenous people lived a nomadic (or semi-nomadic), hunter-gatherer lifestyle, using spears and boomerangs to kill animals for food. Rock paintings still in existence provide evidence of their lifestyle so many years ago.
European people first arrived in Queensland in the 1600s, but settlement didnt occur until the 1700s and early 1800s. Unfortunately, Europeans brought with them an array of diseases including smallpox and influenza, which many Indigenous people died from. Settlers also brought alcohol and opium, which Indigenous people had previously not been exposed to, and which many became reliant on.
Violent conflicts between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people erupted as the Non-Indigenous people attempted to develop colonies where the Indigenous lived. Vast numbers of Indigenous people were killed. Indigenous people simply wont travel to some places in Queensland now (like Port Douglas, in the far north), as they have become sacred burial sites of their forefathers. Settlers believed that Indigenous people were nomadic and therefore that moving them on to other areas would be straightforward.
However, it is now understood that Indigenous people have a strong connection to land and place and that this situation caused them great distress.
The Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime is a significant part of their aboriginal history as well. Aboriginal dreamtime stories are also a major part of the aboriginal history in Australia. In 1992, the High Court officially recognised certain land rights of Indigenous Australians before European settlement, however conflict over land rights continues today.
Many Indigenous people gradually became reliant on the settlements in the 1800s, and many were employed by white people for food and other rations (some remained independent for many years, and some tribes may even remain self-sufficient today). Christian missions also attempted to assist Indigenous people at this time, although not all of their attempts were appropriate. For instance, between 1869 and 1969, many Indigenous children were removed from their families by church missions.
They were placed within institutions or with white families.
This period is now referred to as The Stolen Generation, and is believed to have had a significantly negative impact on both previous generations and generations of Indigenous people today. For many years, Indigenous Australians were treated as an inferior race, being referred to as flora and fauna as opposed to human beings until 1965. Then they were granted permission to vote in state elections.
Interestingly, Queensland was the last state in Australia to grant this right. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Indigenous people. Many people believe has paved the way for reconciliation and integration of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
There is no denying, though, that Indigenous issues remain significant in Queensland today. Substance abuse, crime, and high unemployment are issues of concern. Most Australians celebrate Australia Day in January each year. However, a significant number of Indigenous people use this day as a day to protest against their situation, labelling this day Invasion Day.
This often creates further feelings of unrest and divergence between the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples.
Until next time.....
Colin Burnett
The Aussie Apprentice
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