ARDS Conference: Bridging the Gap

Dear All,

Today was the first of two days with Richard Trudgen and others, whose names I can't spell, at the ARDS Seminar here at Darwin Crown Plaza. I walked down, so that was nice.

There are probably about 70 people attending and I have met some interesting people eg. a girl who finished study at Griffith and is back with her family wanting to work with Aboriginal People in setting up Tourist businesses; a young woman from Melbourne, now in Alice Springs, working for "Life without Barriers". She is a Social Worker and is setting up arrangments, including home living support, for young people who have been in trouble. The next person was another woman from Melbourne, Jewish, whose history has been the Womens' Movement and who is a Dr of Education working in Alice Springs to support trainee Aboriginal Teachers with one day of full-on study in their home Communities between the rest of the week teaching. Then I met another girl from Esperance who had been a 'Fiery' there but who always wanted to work in Darwin and was working in the Red Cross in Disaster management (in between disasters as well and before such) with the most vulnerable people - mostly Aboriginal.

Day 2: Still interesting and more great conversations at lunch. Today there was an RFDS woman from Cairns (nursing background but into managing some of the service); a Service woman from Darwin (into helping people set up businesses); and the Doctor from yesterday.

1) Richard Trudgen 2) Recording Yolgnu words with help of * Linguist Dr Elly?, *Tjunina, *Warrawir??? - Yothu Yindi member, and *Richard; 3) The three Educators who came in with comments during the talk and illustrated things.

I have learnt some interesting things which I did not know previously about Aboriginal culture (most of the examples were up in north-east Arnhemland where Richard Trudgen has been). At the end of it all I can see that Aboriginal people are well able to learn all that we can and more, but the channels of communication between our culture and theirs are not open in many ways. Some concepts have no 'cross-over' (my term) . A few facts anyway:

in 1980, 95% of the Yolgnu people were employed and the Milingimbi and Warrawi had one of the highest population growths in the world.

The first cyclone-proof house after Tracy was built by a Yolgnu team, and some of their companies came out under cost. Now it costs up to #1 m for a 3-bed house (contractors love these contracts!). The Government sent in quick pre-fab builders who could build 6 houses in 3 months. This shamed the local builders who did 3 per year with materials they prepared themselves. Aboriginal builders walked away unrecognised and gave up.

Yolgnu men operated all the boats in the Gulf and didn't lose any in storms, but were forced out of business by a Government decision to burn all their small, personally-made boats and provide one very large boat to do the work, operated by a Skipper with a Certificate. This white Captain like his drink and moved the big boat to Alyangula. The industry collapsed within 12 months and there was personal loss too in 'named' boats that had been burnt. The Aboriginal sea men were upset, felt let down, their skills were not recognised. This action destroyed the community.

1990s: 95% employment was with English-speaking workers. There was a low growth rate and diseases.

Fish knowledge previously was protected and breeding grounds were protected. Fish were plentiful. Now they are netted and it is not worth going out fishing.

2009: The results of the Intervention are mixed. There is still a high death rate and in 2009 Aboriginal clans are becoming extinct in Australia.

That was only some starting information. Since then we have covered The Boat Wars, The Pastoral Wars, Sacred Sites (really, sites for protection); the Culture of Silence; "Naming" and categorising other cultures: Law; Language and Communication. Too much to write about here. I'll see if I can load three photos (I lost a heap yesterday- pressed a wrong button!)

Two other Nungalinya Theology Staff are attending so I have someone to sit with and share with a bit. It is very helpful and interesting.

You would get a glimpse of why the Seminar was called "Bridging the Gap: Building Capacity with Indigenous Communities".

We have a DVD to watch so I'll see what is on that.

It was very helpful.

I'd better start packing for the midnight + 40 mins plane!

Love from Rita