Outside the Indigenous Education Unit, The University of Melbourne - Photo: Julie Clarke 2010
At the end of NAIDOC week the Australian Indigenous flag was raised and, standing quietly in the cold, we listened to the haunting and timeless sounds of the didgeridoo.
I am sitting here Saturday morning watching RAGE and it is the NAIDOC week special. Fabulous Indigenous music, from the likes of Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach. Strong talented people that enrich our lives. Too many Indigenous Australians die young. Lauren
Yes, too many Indigenous Australians die young and there are a number of complex reasons why, including lack of access to resources, lack of education, being exposed for way too long to 'white' man's food, alcohol and other unhealthy life-style choices. If they were hunting for tucker and living off the land they wouldn't get so many diseases and they would be exercising in ways more consistent with their past culture. We must constantly remind ourselves what the 'white' man did to our Indigenous peoples. However, having said this, I do believe that 'they' need to 'own' their behavior and 'we' as a nation should facilitate them in being able to make choices that will assist them in living better and longer, and, that has to be part of overall policy that assists all peoples, whether they are indigenous or non-indigenous, to consider the choices they make that affect their health and well-being and that of their family and friends.
I am sitting here Saturday morning watching RAGE and it is the NAIDOC week special. Fabulous Indigenous music, from the likes of Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach. Strong talented people that enrich our lives. Too many Indigenous Australians die young.
ReplyDeleteLauren
Yes, too many Indigenous Australians die young and there are a number of complex reasons why, including lack of access to resources, lack of education, being exposed for way too long to 'white' man's food, alcohol and other unhealthy life-style choices. If they were hunting for tucker and living off the land they wouldn't get so many diseases and they would be exercising in ways more consistent with their past culture. We must constantly remind ourselves what the 'white' man did to our Indigenous peoples. However, having said this, I do believe that 'they' need to 'own' their behavior and 'we' as a nation should facilitate them in being able to make choices that will assist them in living better and longer, and, that has to be part of overall policy that assists all peoples, whether they are indigenous or non-indigenous, to consider the choices they make that affect their health and well-being and that of their family and friends.
ReplyDelete