Reconciliation in Australia - Essay Example

Reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-indigenous Australians. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Reconciliation in Australia XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Name XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Course XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Course Instructor XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Date Submitted Reconciliation in Australia Indigenous Australians refer to the earliest inhabitants of the present Austrian continent. This also includes the islands which are near the continent. The indigenous Australians may be distinguished as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. These groups are said to make up to 2.5% of the present Australia’s current population. The Torres Straits are the main indigenous Islanders in the Torres Strait Islands. These Islands are found at the Queensland, that is, at the northern tip in close proximity to Papua New Guinea. The islands are about 100.The Islanders at the eastern are related to Papuan who are found in New Guinea .Their main language is Papuan. Aboriginal is a term mainly used to refer to the indigenous or original inhabitant of Tasmania which is the Australia mainland and islands which are adjacent to the mainland. It is has been employed and capitalized to refer to the indigenous or earliest inhabitants of Australia continent. Aboriginal at present speak English combined with some phrases and words from Aboriginal. There’s also another group of indigenous Australia who are activists belonging to the Aboriginal are known to embrace the word “black”. Prior to the coming of the Europeans, they were more than 250 spoken languages by Indigenous Australians. Statistics taken in 2005 has shown that the indigenous population has increased twice since 1996. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has attributed this to the fact that most people are know indentify their background as indigenous. For example, in 2006 a population of 407 700 were indentified as Aboriginal and about 29 512 as Torres Straits. However, their population is not evenly distributed in the continent. 31% of the indigenous inhabitants are said to reside in the cities and 24% of the population are estimated to reside in remote areas. The earliest inhabitants have a high population of younger people as compared to the rest of groups. This is due to the recorded rate of birthrates. However, their life expectancy has been established to be so low. For example, the life expectancy of the Aboriginal group is said to be about 65.Though it is quite hard to quantify this accurately. This has been seen clearly by census carried out in 2008 whereby life expectancy differed by about five years. The non-indigenous Australians are those that have recently migrated and settled in Australia. Due to different social, cultural and economical backgrounds, differences have risen between the two groups. The Australian Government is in the process of reconciling the indigenous and non-indigenous. Reconciliation is a course of action to bring the two groups together and rectify any wrongs either of the past and present and find a common path that leads to a peaceful future. Reconciliation includes recognizing of the valued places of indigenous Australians and implementing practical measures to concentrate on the social and economical drawbacks which are experienced by majority of the indigenous people of Australia. Many Australians feel that there is a need for the indigenous and non-indigenous people to settle their differences in order for tem to have a national identity. This is mostly in areas of health, housing, unemployment and basic education. In order to effectively establish understanding and reconciliation, the parliament did establish a council in 1991 known as Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. The council need a lot of commitment from all communities and the attitude from the public should be positive. This is because government work and dedication alone is not sufficient. Some steps which have been achieved include, the 1996 reaffirmation of the parliament to maintain and reconcile the Australians, the 1994 declaration of the United Nations of the commencing of the so called the Decade of Indigenous Peoples. There are several indentified issues to reconciliation. This includes the appreciative of how vital both sea and land to the culture of Aboriginal, building a common history of the Australians, creating awareness of the importance of reconciliation and respecting various culture diversity. The established council has written roles but its main aim is to provide a platform where industries and different social formed groups co-operate and are able to consult with indigenous group. This leads to understanding issues and creating ways which lead to promotion of equity and bring about justice to the Australians population. The council has come up with different suggestions that will assist individual and different community to be involved in this process. This includes organizing sports and culture interactions, having different cultural festive often, involving al communities in development both nationally and at regional levels, promote conduction of research on different communities. Apart from the government initiative in reconciliation, further step have been made, the constitution recognizing the existence of the Torres Straits Islander and Aboriginal people. The government, in 13 February 2008, did make a national apology to the earliest inhabitants. This was especially done to Stolen Generation. The National Apology has assisted to build respect and closed the gap between the two groups. It has generated trust and understanding which has hastened peace and co-operation. After the National apology the government has declared various effective measures to identify the distinctive and special areas of earlier Australia inhabitants and improving the relations. These include, issuing an avowal to support the United Nation declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, creating a nationally recognized indigenous representative organization, that is, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. This body was created to give the indigenous people a say in the national affairs.The government established the Stolen Generations Working Partnership. This partnership was established in May 2010. It ensures that the influence of the Stolen Generations is felt.It has given support to the newly established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation. The organization has been established to fund the healing processes which help the indigenous people to address the past trauma related to the past government policies. In order for the process of reconciliation to be effective various measures to be put in place. Opportunity should be awarded to all the people equally. Labor should be seen as a ladder to ensure good living condition to the population. A Labor government when established will ensure that the indigenous people contribute in making of decision and effectively implement programs brought about up by the indigenous people. This government will also work together with the indigenous people, their state and also the territory to deliver results. Labor will be seen as a committed step to create a relationship with the people that will lead to the demand of responsibility, improved service delivery and encourage equity and promote social justice. A Federal government will back up community initiatives and assist the indigenous in taking responsibility for the present and future lives. The wages of the indigenous employees should be returned. The money was said to be confiscated by the government. State government has actually taken the initiative to compensate the affected employees. The Community Development Employment Projects programs should be reformed in order to deliver employment, significant development and better living condition of the indigenous Australians. (Macklin 2009) .This is because the program is said to play a major role in the indigenous people economically. Regional bodies formed by the indigenous should also collaborate with the public sector and community to increase public fund. (Macklin 2009) Equal opportunity in the area of labor will ensure collective responsibility between the non-indigenous and indigenous Australia people. This will create a peaceful environment for better interactions. Improving skills among the young people is a seen as an effective tool in promoting equality across the two different groups (Leigh 2008) .This is crucial putting into consideration that school performance is related to outcomes in the future. Indigenous Australian children are said to perform poorly in school as compared to non-indigenous children. (Bradley et al 2007). This may be attributed by the socio-economic factors differences. From a social perspective, this explains the need to improve the parents’ education and their total income. This will at least reduce the gap of performance (Heckman et al 2006). Health issues when well handled will be a major booster in reconciliation. The indigenous Australia are said to have a disadvantage in health matters. (Trewin 2005) The government should be committed in ensuring that effective short and long-term plans are put in place to ensure that inequalities problems in health are addressed accordingly. (Booth & Carroll 2005) .The life expectancy of the Aboriginal commitments on its strategy created to improve the wellbeing and health status of its people. For example, the Prime Minister in 2007 promised to close the great gap of life expectancy and reduce by half the mortality rates in the Australia continent. Reconciliation in Australia between the non-indigenous and indigenous is on the process and positive changes have been seen. A reconciliation week has been recognized to mark this positive step to change. This happens in 27th May to 3rd June annually. These dates are said to Festivals have also been created to celebrate cultural diversity of the indigenous people. Reconciliation is important Australia for national growth. References Bradley, S., Draca M., Green, C. and G. Leeves (2007) ‘The magnitude of educational disadvantage of indigenous minority groups in Australia’, Journal of population Economics, 20, 547-569 Heckman, J.J., Stixrud, J. Urza, S. (2006) The Effect of Cognitive and Noncognitive Abilities on Labour Market Outcomes and Social Behaviour Journal of labour Economics, 24: 411-482 Leigh, A. (2008) Estimating Cognitive Gaps Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. Australian National University, 120, 1-14 Macklin, J. (2009) Closing the Gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Commonwealth of Australia, Sydeny: CanPrint Communication Pty Ltd, 1-43 Booth, A., Carroll, N (2005) The Health Status of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. The Australian National University, 486, 1-35 Trewin, D. (2005) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 7-80 Read More

In order to effectively establish understanding and reconciliation, the parliament did establish a council in 1991 known as Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. The council need a lot of commitment from all communities and the attitude from the public should be positive. This is because government work and dedication alone is not sufficient. Some steps which have been achieved include, the 1996 reaffirmation of the parliament to maintain and reconcile the Australians, the 1994 declaration of the United Nations of the commencing of the so called the Decade of Indigenous Peoples.

There are several indentified issues to reconciliation. This includes the appreciative of how vital both sea and land to the culture of Aboriginal, building a common history of the Australians, creating awareness of the importance of reconciliation and respecting various culture diversity. The established council has written roles but its main aim is to provide a platform where industries and different social formed groups co-operate and are able to consult with indigenous group. This leads to understanding issues and creating ways which lead to promotion of equity and bring about justice to the Australians population.

The council has come up with different suggestions that will assist individual and different community to be involved in this process. This includes organizing sports and culture interactions, having different cultural festive often, involving al communities in development both nationally and at regional levels, promote conduction of research on different communities. Apart from the government initiative in reconciliation, further step have been made, the constitution recognizing the existence of the Torres Straits Islander and Aboriginal people.

The government, in 13 February 2008, did make a national apology to the earliest inhabitants. This was especially done to Stolen Generation. The National Apology has assisted to build respect and closed the gap between the two groups. It has generated trust and understanding which has hastened peace and co-operation. After the National apology the government has declared various effective measures to identify the distinctive and special areas of earlier Australia inhabitants and improving the relations.

These include, issuing an avowal to support the United Nation declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, creating a nationally recognized indigenous representative organization, that is, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. This body was created to give the indigenous people a say in the national affairs.The government established the Stolen Generations Working Partnership. This partnership was established in May 2010. It ensures that the influence of the Stolen Generations is felt.

It has given support to the newly established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation. The organization has been established to fund the healing processes which help the indigenous people to address the past trauma related to the past government policies. In order for the process of reconciliation to be effective various measures to be put in place. Opportunity should be awarded to all the people equally. Labor should be seen as a ladder to ensure good living condition to the population.

A Labor government when established will ensure that the indigenous people contribute in making of decision and effectively implement programs brought about up by the indigenous people. This government will also work together with the indigenous people, their state and also the territory to deliver results. Labor will be seen as a committed step to create a relationship with the people that will lead to the demand of responsibility, improved service delivery and encourage equity and promote social justice.

A Federal government will back up community initiatives and assist the indigenous in taking responsibility for the present and future lives. The wages of the indigenous employees should be returned.

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