effect+of+dispossession

Since European settlement in 1788 there have been continual government efforts to act in regards to Aboriginals. These policies are outlined below.
 * EUROPEAN/AUSTRALIAN POLICIES IN REGARDS TO ABORIGINALS **
 * PATERNALISM: (1788-1908)
 * From 1788 Europeans expected that Aboriginals would quickly 'die out'. In fact they even aided this process by providing Aboriginals with small pox blankets! However, when this did not occur Governors implemented the policy of Paternalism. In it's essence it meant that the Aboriginal culture was uncivilised and 'of the devil' as a result they were to be treated as slaves.


 * PROTECTIONISM: (1838-1943)
 * As the above policy began to falter under the strong racism present in early Australia the Governors began to accept that Aboriginals were not going to die out and decided that Aboriginals must instead by protected from the brutish habits of white Australians. e.g. Heavy drinking. Officially speaking this was an end to the racism, Aboriginals were no longer supposed to be attacked and unfairly treated; the reality, however, was extremely different. There was also a growing belief that 'half-castes' (half Aboriginal, half Australian) were rejected by their mobs.


 * ASSIMILATION: (1950-1964)
 * Protectionism had paved the way for assimilation. Towards the end of protectionism missions and government reserves had been established to isolate Aboriginals from the wider community. Under the policy of Assimilation these missions and reserves were converted to train Aboriginals for assimilation into the wider society. This policy was mainly concerned with children. Children were taken from their homes and put into the missions/reserves. If they were of a lighter 'caste' they were sent to homes where they were able to experience the same education as white people. If they were of a darker caste they remained in missions where they were taught how to perform domestic duties, with the intent of them, in the future, becoming domestic servants for white families.


 * INTEGRATION: (1965-1980)
 * Assimilation had failed, with many Aboriginals failing to assimilate into society and adopt Australian ways. Instead they remained on the fringes of society, whilst living in a segregated world. Integration involved combining Aboriginal and Australian culture into one seamless culture. Whilst Aboriginals still had to adopt Australian ways; Australians, in general were supposed to be more tolerant of their habits.


 * SELF - DETERMINATION: (1980s - 1990s)
 * With racism still rife in Australian society integration failed. By this time governments and society were becoming fairly 'tired' of attempting to make Aboriginals like white society; instead they decided to let Aboriginals do what they pleased. They were able to make their own choices, within the constraints of Australian law, which governed both Aboriginals and white Australians.
 * INTERVENTION: (Late 1990s - today)
 * As time went on the atrocities experienced by Aboriginals came to light and the Australian Government realised that action needed to be taken to bridge the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians in regards to health, education and much more. This policy focuses on the road to equality, where all of society are one.


 * EFFECTS OF THIS CONTINUAL DISPOSSESSION **
 * Loss of language, land and culture
 * Loss of identity
 * Unable to connect to ancestral beings; loss of spirituality
 * Loss of kin, which can lead to lower self esteem and/or self worth; as they have no rights, role or responsibility to others.
 * The dreaming cannot be taught, it is something that is felt and experienced by, being in one's own country and being surrounded by ones kin.
 * Trauma from being forcibly removed from their lives; may result in mental illnesses and/or substance abuse
 * No-one to perform essential rites such as 'Rituals of Estate' which affects the land, and subsequently their spirituality