Background to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for rights and freedoms before 1965, including the 1938 Day of Mourning and the Stolen Generations. Students: - explain the purpose and significance of early twentieth-century Aboriginal activism including the 1938 Day of Mourning protest for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. - Outline the rights and freedoms denied to Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander peoples before 1965 and the role and policies of the Aboriginal Protection Board, eg the control of wages and reserves.
Use the information from the file above to complete Activity 2 in your booklet.
You are about to be shown THREE cartoons. You are to write one sentence detailing what you think the PURPOSE or the POINT of the three cartoons is. After you have had time to see all three we will discuss them as a class.
Political Correctness
–Using the term ‘Aborigines’ suggests that Aboriginal people are all the same and thus stereotypes them. The fact is that Indigenous Australians are multicultural, even before colonisation. The nations of Australia were and are as separate as the nations of Britain and France. –1st Nation, or 1st Nation Peoples is preferable. - 1st Nation People of Australia do not identity as 'Half Indigenous' or 'One Quater'. This can be offensive.
WHY ARE WE STUDYING INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS AGAIN?
Most of you have studied Aboriginal History every year of your schooling life so far. Answer the following questions to see how much you know.
1.What do you understand ‘Aboriginal’ to mean? 2.Name THREE Indigenous nations you are familiar with. 3.Name ONE contemporary Aboriginal person who is an: –Artist –Athlete –Politician –Scientist –Teacher –Celebrity 4.How many Indigenous nations existed in Australia before colonisation? 5.How many languages were spoken in Australia before colonisation? 6.When did Aboriginal people arrive in Australia? 7.What does ATSI stand for? 8.Where is the Torres Strait?
By the end of this term you will be able to answer ALL of these questions!
GLOSSARY
•Stolen Generations – term used for Aboriginal people forcibly removed from their families between the 1890’s and 1970’s. •Sacred sites - Certain parts of the land, which have special significance for certain Aboriginal groups, as it is believed that different aspects of the Dreaming story took place at the site. •Country – Dreaming of a particular Aboriginal group comprising a microcosm of landscape and organisms created by the ancestral spirits of its particular area. •Kinship – an individual's biological heritage, totems and connections to the land that give rise to his or her social identity; fundamental organising system in Aboriginal society. •Dreaming - Term used to refer to the concept, which underpins all beliefs and practices in Aboriginal communities. The Dreaming is inextricably linked to the land and determines all relationships and responsibilities for Aboriginal people.
Human rights: a right which is believed to belong to every person.
Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants
QUiz
1. What does UDHR stand for? 2. Why was the UDHR created? 3. Write down two points that you learnt from last lesson.