ABORIGINES
A Population destructed by British since the 18th century
History
The first inhabitants of Australia were the Aborigines and came from Asia in prehistoric times. They used to hunt to feed themselves and to gather food. In 1788, it was declared a British territory by Captain Cook. They ignored the rich heritage of Abos, who were sent away onto reservations by British settlers. Aboriginal children were taken away from their families by settlers and educated by British people. Indeed, they wanted to make Aboriginal children like British citizens in order to get rid of their traditions and cultures, to conquer to world, and to spread Christianity.
Abos believe the land is sacred so they feel close to nature. As a consequence, all human beings should preserve nature and protect the environment. We should be more careful and less selfish. We should be like the Earthkeepers.
In 1944, there was the Citizenship Rights' Movement, to allow Aborigines to become official citizens. However, it was unfair and illogical because Abos were the first inhabitants of Australia. They shouldn't have had to ask for citizenship in their own country. With the 1944 Citizenship Rights' Act, Aborigines became aware that they had to fight for their rights and they had to assert their identity. So, Abos wanted British people to recognize what they have done to them.
That is why, in 2008, there was a long overdue official apologize (to the Abos) of Kevin Rudd, who was the Australian Prime Minister. Indeed, he apologized for breaking up Aborigines' families. He also said sorry to the mothers, fathers, descendants of Aboriginal children who were taken away from their families. He said sorry for the pain, grief, and suffering of the stolen generation, for destroying their traditions and cultures. For him, it's a blemish chapter in Australian history but it is crucial to apologize to help Aborigines to heal.
The Aboriginal children were examined before they were sent onto reservations. British settlers chose the whitest-skinned children and sent them into British families, in order to integrate them to the population. The darkest-skinned children were sent onto reservations, to work. Whites didn't care about the consequences on their future.
Aborigines were powerless and too submitted to defend themselves. They were not treated equally : they were deprived from their basic rights. They were denied the rights to live as real citizens. Their freedom was taken away from them, or at least, restricted. They were deprived from children. They were not allowed to express their feelings.
Watch the apology of Kevin Rudd, in 2008
