The Treatment of Indigenous Australians - Essay Example

Reflective evaluation on the treatment of Indigenous Australians Name University School Course Date The purpose of reflecting upon the situation Previous government regimes in Australia created disparities in the access of essential services resulting to unwarranted abuse of the culture, traditions and values of indigenous Australians. Consequently, serious imbalances are evident amongst non-indigenous and indigenous Australians creating the need for urgent steps to correct the imbalances. The issues affecting indigenous Australians differ from those affecting non-indigenous Australians either in nature or in magnitude requiring varied approaches while addressing these issues (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The historical injustices meted upon indigenous Australians presided over by previous regimes prompted the current government to pen an agreement that would enable the restoration of a relationship built on justice between the state and Aboriginal Western Australians. Genuine partnerships founded on common beliefs, shared commitment, and honest consultations are a prerequisite for an enhanced relationship between indigenous Australians and the state (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). Similarly, the government’s engagement strategy provides a benchmark for any professional, organization, or public servant wishing to work with indigenous Australians by guiding on the most reasonable way possible to establish a working relationship with them. This allows the aboriginal people to participate in the formulation of developmental agendas that affect their lives while emphasizing the inevitable need to consult with this group of people for effective and efficient delivery of services (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The events that happened European Australians at Federal and State level laid down protective laws between during the last two decades of the 19th century. The laws barred aboriginal Australians from holding public office, voting, marrying without the protector’s consent, borrowing money, or being beneficiaries of social welfare schemes. This situation persisted between the 1900s and 1960s coupled with other injustices against the aboriginal people of Western Australia such as the right to own land, unequal employment rights, and limited travel rights. The discrimination influenced the way the aboriginal people live in Australia at both personal as well as private level. These were very serious inequalities mainly overseen by state machinery and entrenched in the governing laws. In 1944, an act was established to grant Aboriginal people equal citizenship on condition that they adopt a life of civility and cut any associations with Aboriginals who lacked the rights of citizenship (Girot, 2001). The discriminatory laws led to the separation, removal, and micromanagement of the Aboriginal community creating a lot of mistrust between the Aboriginals and the government. The state disbanded these discriminatory laws in 1972 however; damaging impact had already been created ending the over six decades of unwarranted discrimination, denial of citizenship rights, and the refusal to view Aboriginal people as part of the governance structures in indigenous Australia (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The state then established commissions to make inquiries into the exacerbating socio-economic wellbeing of the Aboriginal people at the onset of the 1980s. These efforts resulted in recommendations for the progress realignment of administrative structures to enhance social protection, facilitate assimilation as well as the integration of the Aboriginal people (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). Interestingly, most of the commissions never obtained information from the Aboriginal people but instead sought for solutions to Aboriginal issues from non-Aboriginal people. However, progressive inquiries saw the gradual recognition and acceptance of the necessity to consult with the Aboriginal people on lasting solutions for the problems that affect them. These translated into major policy changes through reorientation to address the issues that bedeviled the Aboriginal people for decades (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). Based on my own perspective, this amounted to grave failure for the government regimes that ruled during those dark years of Australia’s history. This remains unpardonable bearing in mind lives were maimed forever and the Aboriginal people have already suffered the consequences of the injustices. The Aboriginals deserved the protection of the government so that no injustices are meted upon them. However, government machinery is what was utilized to create and execute the inhumane acts that severed the relationship between the Aboriginal people and the Australian government (Girot, 2001). The case of the Aboriginals in Western Australia reveals the uncouth acts of oppressive regimes that calculated very well to discriminate, marginalize and undermine the social rights of an indigenous community without due regard to the rule of law or the aftermath of these actions. Consequently, the relationship between the Aboriginal people and other people was adversely affected creating mistrust orchestrated by the fear of discrimination. The views and perspectives of Aboriginal people totally changed and they remain very suspicious of the people or institutions around them based on their experience with previous government regimes (Kinsella, 2010). The reactions to the events Recent government regimes moved in to address the emerging issues created by the historical injustices meted upon the Aboriginal people of Western Australia. This included the recognition that a different approach was inevitable if the issues affecting this community were to receive lasting solutions. The government then signed an agreement that aims at restoration of a new relationship founded on justice and fairness. This new agreement took care of the non-inclusive policies created over the past decades to solve issues related to the Aboriginal people that failed due to lack of adequate participation and involvement of the people who suffer from the issues in question. The government opted for this approach due to the chronic failures in addressing the issues affecting the Aboriginal people, the fact that a lot of mistrust existed between the Aboriginals and the State, and the reality that the same government oversaw the inhumane acts meted on the Aboriginal people (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The government assumed that the Aboriginal people’s desire was to carry on with their lives and that correcting the injustices meted upon them will once improve their trust in the state organs. In addition, the government assumed that by allowing the Aboriginal people to participate in the process, lasting solutions to the problems affecting would be realized. The Aboriginals remain a key stakeholder that requires adequate engagement in order to iron out historical injustices that arose from previous government regimes (Langley & Brown, 2010). These happenings led to the government’s realization of the historical injustices including the subjugation of the indigenous Australians and the recognition of its role in ensuring every citizen enjoys their basic rights in equity and through fairness. The fact that the Australian government oversaw the formulation of discriminatory laws against the Aboriginal Australians is responsible for the mistrusting relationship between the Aboriginals and the state. Consequently, the Aboriginals could not run to anyone else for help after the government became an active participant in the perpetration of these injustices. Their feelings for betrayal are inexplicable and their disillusionment with the government is worth noting (Francis & others, 2008). What needs to be done Socio-economic disparities lead to dissatisfaction of citizens with the governance systems. The government has a responsibility to continuously address the disparities that exist amongst its citizens as a development agenda to improve the standards of living of its citizens. Some communities have been marginalized for decades and a careful approach to address the issues affecting them is imperative (Langley & Brown, 2010). More healing and reconciliation efforts would markedly improve the relationship between the Aboriginal people and the State. The government should further increase the avenues of participation in policy formulation by the Aboriginal communities. Moreover, correcting all the disparities existing amongst the Aboriginal people remains the ultimate solution, as the Aboriginals will feel respected and part of the government of the day (Arafeh, Hansen, & Nichols, 2010). Correcting the injustices remains a key priority failure to which more displeasure and dissatisfaction with the government continues to increase. Socio-economic disparities, feelings of lack of respect and dignity, and social injustices are some of the root causes of civil unrest hence, the government should meet with speed to arrive at solutions for these issues. Failure to address the issues may lead to an unnecessary strife from the marginalized community in their desire to realize a balance in the distribution of state resources (Langley & Brown, 2010). In the event similar occurrences happen in the course of my practice as an engineer, I will always rely on proven approaches to iron out any historical injustices. Ensuring adequate participation of the affected communities is useful in promoting ownership of the solutions targeting the situation in addition to winning the trust of the community that would benefit from any programs targeting the community. I will need a lot of information regarding the protocols and guidelines for problem-solving so that I am well acquainted with nature and magnitude of the issue requiring redress (Francis & others, 2008). Implications on engineering practice and communication with representatives The historical events evaluated in the previous section clearly manifest the potential mistrust that Aboriginal Australians may have against an institution, a government agency, or a professional. As a professional engineer working with the Aboriginal people of Western Australia, I will be equally confronted by this harsh perceptions of the community based on their mistrust in institutions including the government. Engineering entails using the acquired knowledge and skills to solve complex problems affecting communities (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The Aboriginal Australians suffered unwarranted social injustices for almost a century and this translated to very underdeveloped systems that support their livelihoods. Much work remains undone amongst this group of Australians and working with them will require me to summon the very best of my communication skills in order to understand their feelings and be part of the solution to their problems. Ethical standards in Australia require me to be proficient through critical comprehension, effective communication, representation of an engineering standpoint, and appreciation of body language (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The Aboriginals have a culture, values, and a system of beliefs all of which were impacted upon by the mistrust that grew between them and the government following decades of mistreatment. I will need to pay very close attention by actively listening to what they have to say while guiding them with my technical expertise as we jointly look for solutions to address their chronic historical challenges that require engineering solutions (Girot, 2001). Conclusion As an engineer practicing in Australia amongst the Aboriginal people, I am bound to abide by the code of Ethics, which stipulates how I should handle every aspect relating to a competency I attained as an engineer. This is useful particularly as I deal with a community that has been historically marginalized, profiled and discriminated against at the watchful eye of the government. The community’s historical profile influences how they handle the prevailing challenges affecting them and how they relate to professionals working with them. Reflection upon the events that led to their disillusionment will no doubt assist me in coming up with better ways of relating and working with the Aboriginal people of Australia. References Arafeh, J. M., Hansen, S. S., & Nichols, A. (2010). Debriefing in simulated-based learning: facilitating a reflective discussion. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 24(4), 302–309. Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia. Consulting Citizens: Engaging with Aboriginal Western Australians. Francis, K., & others. (2008). Guest Editorial-Reflections on Nursing. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, the, 25(4), 6. Girot, E. (2001). Reflective skills in Maslin-Prothero Baillere's Study Skills for Nurses. London: Baillere Tindall. Kinsella, E. A. (2010). Professional knowledge and the epistemology of reflective practice. Nursing Philosophy, 11(1), 3–14. Langley, M. E., & Brown, S. T. (2010). Perceptions of the use of reflective learning journals in online graduate nursing education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 31(1), 12–17.  Read More

The historical injustices meted upon indigenous Australians presided over by previous regimes prompted the current government to pen an agreement that would enable the restoration of a relationship built on justice between the state and Aboriginal Western Australians. Genuine partnerships founded on common beliefs, shared commitment, and honest consultations are a prerequisite for an enhanced relationship between indigenous Australians and the state (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia).

Similarly, the government’s engagement strategy provides a benchmark for any professional, organization, or public servant wishing to work with indigenous Australians by guiding on the most reasonable way possible to establish a working relationship with them. This allows the aboriginal people to participate in the formulation of developmental agendas that affect their lives while emphasizing the inevitable need to consult with this group of people for effective and efficient delivery of services (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia).

The events that happened European Australians at Federal and State level laid down protective laws between during the last two decades of the 19th century. The laws barred aboriginal Australians from holding public office, voting, marrying without the protector’s consent, borrowing money, or being beneficiaries of social welfare schemes. This situation persisted between the 1900s and 1960s coupled with other injustices against the aboriginal people of Western Australia such as the right to own land, unequal employment rights, and limited travel rights.

The discrimination influenced the way the aboriginal people live in Australia at both personal as well as private level. These were very serious inequalities mainly overseen by state machinery and entrenched in the governing laws. In 1944, an act was established to grant Aboriginal people equal citizenship on condition that they adopt a life of civility and cut any associations with Aboriginals who lacked the rights of citizenship (Girot, 2001). The discriminatory laws led to the separation, removal, and micromanagement of the Aboriginal community creating a lot of mistrust between the Aboriginals and the government.

The state disbanded these discriminatory laws in 1972 however; damaging impact had already been created ending the over six decades of unwarranted discrimination, denial of citizenship rights, and the refusal to view Aboriginal people as part of the governance structures in indigenous Australia (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). The state then established commissions to make inquiries into the exacerbating socio-economic wellbeing of the Aboriginal people at the onset of the 1980s.

These efforts resulted in recommendations for the progress realignment of administrative structures to enhance social protection, facilitate assimilation as well as the integration of the Aboriginal people (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). Interestingly, most of the commissions never obtained information from the Aboriginal people but instead sought for solutions to Aboriginal issues from non-Aboriginal people. However, progressive inquiries saw the gradual recognition and acceptance of the necessity to consult with the Aboriginal people on lasting solutions for the problems that affect them.

These translated into major policy changes through reorientation to address the issues that bedeviled the Aboriginal people for decades (Department of Indigenous Cultures Australia). Based on my own perspective, this amounted to grave failure for the government regimes that ruled during those dark years of Australia’s history. This remains unpardonable bearing in mind lives were maimed forever and the Aboriginal people have already suffered the consequences of the injustices. The Aboriginals deserved the protection of the government so that no injustices are meted upon them.

However, government machinery is what was utilized to create and execute the inhumane acts that severed the relationship between the Aboriginal people and the Australian government (Girot, 2001).

Read More