Equality and difference: indigenous Australians in Blacktown .

1. Equality and difference:indigenous Australians in Blacktown . Katie Mallett Race and ethnicity

2. Brief description • Indigenous persons (comprises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) • Selectedregion - 820 • % of total persons in region - 1.5% • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population comprises around 2.5% of the Australian population and is relatively young. • 517,000 people. • ABS – 7055 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Blacktown & more than 6000 are below the age of 34. (Blacktown Advocate, Wednesday April 27, 2011, p9. ‘Weaving their magic’.

3. Brief description… • median age - 21.0 years, 37.0 years for non indigenous people. • 32% of people living in major cities, 43% in regional areas, and 25% in remote areas.

4. inequalities experienced by the group No education = no job = no $ = not able to support family = < socio economic status, poor health etc. Not given a voice, opinions not heard, do not feel a part of Australian society, outcast. Not recognised within society, conflict, protests. Marginalised, aliens within own environment, isolated, prejudice, discrimination. • 31% - ATSI students continue on to year 12 in comparison to 76% non ATSI students. • Indigenous Australians were not able to vote until 1967. • Australia was terra nullius until 1992. • Indigenous Australians were first counted as citizens in the 1971 census. • Indigenous unemployment is three times higher than non-Indigenous. • In some areas up to 70% of Indigenous students regularly do not attend school. • 29% of young Indigenous Australians are NOT earning or learning compared to 9% of non-Indigenous young people.

5. Unequal outcomes • Life expectancy – ATSI males-56yrs, non ATSI – 77yrs. • ATSI women – 63yrs, non ATSI – 82yrs • ATSI people are three times more likely to have diabetes. • Socioeconomic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians continue to improve, but remain below those for non-Indigenous Australians. • 3% - ATSI go to university in comparison to 18% of non ATSI. • 29% - ATSI – own own home compared to 72% of non ATSI. • 54% - ATSI – job, 73% non ATSI. Lower life expectancy – lower quality of life, die younger, poor health. Poor health, health risks, $ - medication. Unable to afford the cost of living.

6. inequalities experienced by the group Unable to care for children, mental illness. Low self esteem, physical abuse, mental illness. Separated from biological family, scared.May need a carer, extra attention, counselling. Health problems. • Around one third of adults reported high/very high levels of psychological distress. • Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced discrimination. • Around one in twelve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have personally experienced removal from their natural family. • Half of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over had a disability or long-term health condition. • Nationally, just over one-quarter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults reported problems accessing one or more health services. • Parents/carers of around one in seven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children needed (more) formal child care. • Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults lived in rented housing, however, the proportion living in homes being purchased has increased. • Social and economic disadvantage

7. Consequences: • Indigenous Australians may not feel a part of society and accepted. • Fighting in war is unrecognised and unappreciated. • ‘White diggers were heroes. Aboriginal Diggers were forgotten and their names omitted from memorials and excluded from RSL’s.’ • Aboriginals feel marginalised. • Conflict • Petition and protests. • ‘… physical and psychological abuse.’ – scared, afraid, mental illness, pain. • ‘… children… taken away… their pay was withheld from their families.’ Hard to buy essentials, severe emotional pain and suffering. • Not allowed to join. Pretended – Indian or Maori. Marginalised, separated, ‘different’, out of place. • ‘…his people were treated fairly when they were serving.’ • ‘It’s when you get back that it gets hard on the black Digger.’ Coping with discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes, no recognition of achievements or effort.

8. Shane Phillips is looking for Aboriginal youth from across western Sydney to join him aboard aifTribal Warrior aif. Picture: SARA NIXON All clear sailing for special kids Blacktown Advocate, 22 Jun 2010 @ 08:31amby REBECCA WOOLLEY VULNERABLE Aboriginal children and teenagers from across western Sydney will be helped by a mentoring program which builds on cultural and traditional indigenous values. Set up by Tribal Warrior at Redfern, indigenous adults are trained in an accredited mentoring course so they can help to give direction to young people from vulnerable backgrounds. Chairman Shane Phillips said many indigenous youngsters - aged 5-17 - would be in foster care or referred by the Department of Community Services and be struggling with their education and career plans. “We look at the positives Aboriginal people have and break down some of the stereotypes to be proactive,” he said. “Children in care need a bit of guidance from an Aboriginal person and we think we can provide that.” He said the mentoring scheme was based on the traditional culture of elders in Koori communities where grandparents, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters help to engage young people while developing and maintaining indigenous values. Apart from learning more about their culture and heritage, receiving guidance and support, they are also trained in maritime skills in a fun environment aboard the cruise ship Tribal Warrior. The first intake is being trained and some will undertake deckhand certificates. “It’s about simple empowerment and building from the ground up rather than a typical employment project,” Mr Phillips said. “(We) see kids who have engaged and taken control of their own lives after articulating some of the good things that are happening around them. “Some of these kids out there are just making a connection or seeking employment ... the outcomes are fairly substantial.” The Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Department is funding the course and all mentors are assessed for suitability to work with children, including police record checks. More details visit tribalwarrior.org. • Consequences: • Young ATSI may loose their culture and traditions (identity). • Vulnerable aboriginal children – engage in bad behaviour – drugs, alcohol, sex. • no positive role models. • Unstable childhood • no education = no job = no $ = struggle – support family – access to health services. • Stereotypes – prejudice and false judgements.

9. Discuss a possible future for the group if existing inequalities are maintained. Use the sources and personal reflection to predict the future trends within this inequality in Australian society. STEEP: • Social– education levels will remain the same or decrease. - The reconciliation process will slow down and/or come to a halt. - life expectancy will not improve and will maybe even decrease. - relatively low circumstances of removal of children from family. - moderate chance of discrimination. (prejudice) - Still a greater need for childcare facilitates. - Lowered levels of physical and psychological abuse. - Gradual loss of traditional values and culture – younger generation. - Children and teenagers remain most vulnerable. • Technological – moderate problem - access health services. • Economic – Socio economic outcomes will continue to remain below those for non- Indigenous Australians. - owning own home will become more popular although a significant amount of indigenous Australians will still continue to rent. • Environmental- Australia will not become Terra nullius again. • Political– Indigenous Australians will still be able to vote and be citizens of Australia. - Slight increase – indigenous Australians in the army. - Indigenous Australians will continue to not be fully recognised in ANZAC day parades and ceremonies.

10. Examine ways to reduce the inequality [legislation, affirmative action policies, community initiatives and/or welfare systems, etc.] You should consider the effectiveness of such measures in reducing inequalities within Australian society • Anti discrimination legislation – The racial discrimination Act 1975 – A law against offensive behaviour based on racial hatred – the Racial Hatred Act 1995. • Anti discrimination act 1977 – reduce and eradicate discriminatory behaviour and harassment. • Human rights and equal opportunity commission act 1986 – promote the cause of equal opportunity and deal with complaints made by people alleging discrimination. • State tribunals – payment of compensation, reinstatement of a complaint, fines/imprisonment etc. • Laws – not as effective – not all lawbreakers are caught, or not all victims are prepared to report the law breakers. In order for laws to be effective, they need to be enforced with appropriate punishments. A system of reward and punishment is suitable. • Affirmative action policies – employ a certain amount of indigenous Australians in the workforce, ensure a certain amount of Indigenous Australians are included in ANZAC ceremonies and marches etc. Effective as it balances the situation and allows for equal representation. • Community initiatives – Generation One campaign, Durug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association and Tribal Warrior etc. Effective – People taking practical action although it depends on the size of the group and organisational skills. - Reaches a wide audience through the medium of television, internet, newspaper etc. – Helps individuals – one to one.

11. Bibliography Info: • http://www.australiancollaboration.com.au/aimsroles/index.html (19/5/11) • http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/index.html (19/5/11) • abs.gov.au (29.4.11) • http://blacktown-advocate.whereilive.com.au/ (29/4/11) • generationone.org.au (29/4/11) Pictures: • janesocenia.com (29/4/11) • australiasouvenir.com (29/4/11) • ausflag.com.au (29/4/11) • Clip art