Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Can Australia afford not to be reconciled?

By Patrick Dodson - posted Friday, 3 December 2010


Perhaps if we achieve that level of global engagement we will not have our diplomats wandering the world in search of votes at the UN for a few minutes game time on the Security Council!

On the occasion of the National Apology, we gave the world and ourselves a brief glimpse of who we, as a nation, might yet become.

Advertisement

Today, I again warn that the journey ahead will be challenging. We must demand our leaders and opinion makers maintain the courage required to imagine a renewed nation, to take the many steps needed for a true renaissance. This must be a renaissance underpinned by Indigenous culture and spirituality, and an Indigenous view of what makes a successful society and economy.

The spurious discourse over symbolism versus practical outcomes, over rights versus responsibilities, and the notion that a collective or a community is somehow at odds with the rights and aspirations of individuals, still remains on the lips of many well-intentioned Australians.

The place of Aboriginal people in Australia’s constitutional and institutional frameworks has to be approached from the point of understanding what our greatest fears are about such a discussion and its outcomes. This should not daunt us. We have seen that Indigenous ceremony and symbols can be incorporated into the parliament, and that change to institutions is possible.

Advertisement

I continue to believe that our nation is capable of developing public policy that recognises the fact that Indigenous society – which draws on thousands of years of cultural and religious connection to Australian lands – has survived. Indigenous Australians define what it means to be resilient, and resilience lies at the heart of how we are all going to survive the shocks of this century, and the next.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. Page 5
  7. 6
  8. All

This is an edited extract of a keynote addressdelivered atthe inaugural National Indigenous Policy and Dialogue Conference at the University of New South Wales in November 2010.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

99 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Professor Patrick Dodson is a Yawuru man from Broome in Western Australia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Patrick Dodson

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Patrick Dodson
Article Tools
Comment 99 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy