Although Australia is responding positively to the challenge of reconciliation, there is still more that we can do. Many conferences and meetings have taken place but we need to take action. Our current approach at reconciliation is ÃÂÃÂpracticalÃÂÃÂ and focuses on improving education, living standards and employment of the Indigenous rather than acknowledging their cultural identity. However this approach doesnÃÂÃÂt address the social and cultural damage that has occurred as a result of events like dispossession and the Stolen Generation.
A strategy that Australia can adopt to address the challenge of reconciliation, is to acknowledge the ÃÂÃÂinherent right of self-governmentÃÂÃÂ of Indigenous people. Indigenous Australians could be recognized as sovereign entities and given their own land to govern and provide for themselves. This strategy would be suitable as it meets one of the major needs of the Indgenous Australians; land rights. This has proven to be quite successful in the United States, the Indian Americans have been able to generate their own income from the casinos they run on their land.
Last year Indian gambling brought in a profit of $US25.7 billion. This money is used to pay their costs and taxes to the government, and also funds schools, hospitals, roads and services. Another suggestion could be to create a new indigenous territory, similar to that of the Nunavut in Canada.
Another strategy that would be suitable for consideration addressing the challenge of reconciliation, is to integrate the White Australian culture with the Aboriginal Australian culture. Students should be taught the Aboriginal culture at school. This could include teaching of different tribal languages, dances and artwork, as well as Aboriginal history. This strategy has been used in New Zealand, with Maori being taught from pre-school until secondary years. It helps to bridge understanding between the Indigenous people and the more...
Propose two strategies for Australia
Before the government of Australia adopts anything based on the American experience, I hope that it will look closely at that experience, which has included some highly negative matters, such as the current scandals over the sale of political influence surrounding allowing Indian gaming.
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