National Conference On Racism In A Global Context

The Fear and Politics of a National Emergency: Creating a Crisis in Indigenous Affairs

Peter Gale (David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research, University of South Australia)

National security has dominated politics in Australia at the start of the twenty first century while Indigenous issues have been on the margins of political life, yet enduring enforced policy change. However recent political debate on 'Aboriginal violence' in remote communities has positioned Indigenous Affairs as a national crisis. The Federal Government declaration of a national emergency and political intervention involving military personnel in the Northern Territory focuses on a cycle of violence as the main problem. This is in stark contrast with many media commentators and Indigenous leaders who place an emphasis on the underlying issues of health, housing, education, and employment. This paper explores the discourse on Indigenous issues and the politics of national emergency.

Session 10, Stream 1

Date & Time: Sunday 11 November (10.45am)

Location : ECL3

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Rottnest Island as White Playground and Black Prison

Craig McGarty (Centre for Social and Community Research, Murdoch University)

Glen Stasiuk (Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Murdoch University)

Collard Len (Australian Indigenous Studies, Murdoch University)

Yvonne Haigh (Centre for Social and Community Research, Murdoch University)

Many people are unaware that Rottnest Island was a place of imprisonment and enormous suffering for Aboriginal men and boys from all over Western Australia before it became a holiday destination. This is poignant as it is a site of continuing alienation, especially for the traditional Nyungar owners of the island, and because Indigenous people continue to be imprisoned in Western Australia at alarming rates. In this paper we will present a multidisciplinary project that explores the potential for the former Aboriginal Prison on Rottnest Island (Wedjemup) to be a specific site to understand the processes and problems associated with Reconcilation in Australia. The project combines political and social psychological analyses with documentary film making to uncover the factors that have blocked progress towards a culturally appropriate commemoration of the harm that was done to Indigenous people and prevented appropriate protection of grave sites on the Island. A distinctive focus is on the possibility that Wedjemup can be a source of contemporary pride as a place of healing rather than remaining as a symbol of shame for past atrocities.

Session 10, Stream 1

Date & Time: Sunday 11 November (11.05am)

Location : ECL3

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Using group-based interaction to increase commitment to oppose prejudice

Caroline Blink (The Australian National University)

Craig McGarty (Murdoch University)

Recent research has revealed that group discussion can boost the commitment to oppose prejudice.Our research, involving two studies addressing attitudes towards Indigenous Australians shows that focused small group discussion between non-Indigenous Australians who are moderate supporters of the Reconciliation movement can actually lead to reduced prejudice and an increased commitment to take action against prejudice.The results point to a number of factors such as ideology and counter-productive emotional responses that may work against increased commitment to social change but also suggest that the process works by increasing peoples commitment to the cause of anti-racism.In this paper we present these results and point to the possibilities to apply these ideas in interventions.

Session 10, Stream 1

Date & Time: Sunday 11 November (11.25pm)

Location : ECL3

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Lessons from a community relations intervention to reduce intergroup conflict.

Charlie Staples (Murdoch University)

Mark Raley (Murdoch University)

Iain Walker (Murdoch University)

Kalgoorlie-Boulder has a long-standing history of tensions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents. These tensions flared in the summer of 2001/2, leading city leaders to approach the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC). Subsequently, an intervention was developed, containing the following key elements:

* Tracking Your Rights training for agency staff to better equip them as community advisors on equal opportunity and human rights issues.

* Advocacy training, with Indigenous community members trained as contact personnel for other residents needing advice on human rights issues and help with claims under equal opportunity legislation.

* Mediation, with community meetings to identify contentious issues, and work towards protocols for future engagement.

* Publication of an Indigenous Consultation Protocol document, both as a community education initiative, and as an opportunity for public demonstration of support for the ideals of reconciliation and community dialogue.

The HREOC Kalgoorlie Boulder Community Relations Strategy has won wide support in the City. Beneficial changes have been reported by Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents, and those changes have been attributed to elements of the Strategy. HREOC should consider using the Strategy process as a guide to future work in other communities suffering racial tension.

Session 10, Stream 1

Date & Time: Sunday 11 November (11.45am)

Location : ECL3