The whole issue with the aboriginal communities as you well know is not easy, its complicated. many problems, but we also seem to forget that the white settlers introduced many of those problems. . Alcohol, drugs, modern lifestyle, splitting up aboriginal families. Unfortunately on my route I dont have the time for the tourist tours which I would love to do from time to time, or get the chance to visit the wonderful arts and crafts shops I have heard about, my main aim is to run around the world. I find it hard to research what is probably expected of me and as always I rely on the information I get from the people I meet. I hope the information I pass on is accurate, I have gotten some racist lines from people which I just ignore.
As I said I have had limited conversations with the indigenous people but when I have tried to talk to them I rarely get beyond the small talk stuff. They stop on the highway a few times a week to see if I am ok. Never has anyone asked me for money, they have such beautiful smiles and despite their battered spirits show an inner beauty they can be proud of.
Yesterday just outside Katherine I was stopped by a very nice couple to see if I was doing ok as the driver put it. Later it was suggested to me that this couldn’t possibly be an aboriginal family as they were driving a nice sports car and the passenger was on an ipad.
” Perhaps they were a successful aboriginal family? ” I suggested.
” No there are no successful families, nobody makes it from those communities. ” I was told.
I try to brush all this nonsense away but when I ask people all I get is stuff like this. There is more crap, believe me but lets just leave it to Wikipedia to give some background information about these wonderful people.
A friend has just reminded me about a very interesting and well written travelogue I read many years ago called Songlines by Bruce Chatwin. .From what I remember of Songlines every aboriginal tribe in the Outback and there are hundreds speaking countless languages, many not spoken anymore has their own unique songs in all of these languages which put together can be a map of sorts, depicting the areas for others to travel the huge vastness that is the Great Outback. It will be one of the first books I reread when this is all over, thanks for this comment lindie.
Aboriginal Australians, also referred to as Aboriginal people, are people whose ancestors were indigenous to the Australian Continent — that is, to mainland Australia or to the island of Tasmania—before British colonization of the continent began in 1788.
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May 19th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
tony, as the old catchphrase quiz show host would request…..”say what you see!!” i think you are giving us great info about the people you have encountered on the trip. you can only talk about those you have met and if that does not agree with others opinions…..well tough luck. you are doing great. keep saying what you see!!!! kevin
May 20th, 2013 at 9:42 am
Another great read Tony, you are going great, nearly through another continent. Well done, heading for the home stretch
Ann
May 21st, 2013 at 11:22 am
Its great to hear you questioning some of the things you have been told about the aboriginal community. There are lots that have their own homes and work for a living. I went to the funeral of a work colleague who died prematurely, similar age to us. As a child this person was taken from family and spent most of her childhood in care; hard to believe kids our age were being taken from their families. Is it any wonder there is still mistrust, the sad thing is it means many are scared to be treated for cureable illnesses and die before they should.
Love reading your updates