GOVERNMENT POLICIES TOWARDS ABORIGINES Protection 1901 1940 s

GOVERNMENT POLICIES TOWARDS ABORIGINES

Protection 1901 – 1940 s • • Aborigines were treated legally as minors. The chief protector of aborigines in each state was their guardian. He was responsible for their health, welfare and education. Aboriginal people could not move house, travel, marry, or get a job without official approval. Under this policy Aboriginal people were kept on reserves. Some of these reserves had really bad living conditions. Under the protection policy ''half caste'' children were removed from their Aboriginal mothers to be brought up in the white community. This policy lasted until the 1950's.

Assimilation: 1950 s - 1968 • In the 1950 s and 1960's Aborigines had to become socially and culturally white. This was because the government wanted only one Australian culture. • It was hoped that by adopting mainstream culture, Aboriginal people would become completely absorbed into white culture. • This policy was also applied to the migrants. • Children were still taken form their parents during this time.

Integration: 1968 • The 1967 referendum brought about a change and Aboriginal culture was recognised. Aboriginals were expected to live like white people but maintain some of their traditional practices. This policy lasted until the Whitlam years. • Children continued to be taken from their mothers.

SELF DETERMINATION: 1972 • Under the Whitlam government, Aboriginal communities were expected to govern themselves and decide how their communities would operate. • Government funding was made available to support Aboriginal communities whilst becoming independent. • Organisations such as ATSIC (Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders Commission) were developed to support these policies.

• http: //www. artistwd. com/joyzine/australia/strine/a 2. php • http: //daownunder. wordpress. com/2008/02/15/closingthe-gap • http: //www. greenleft. org. au/1998/339/20020 • http: //indigenousrights. net. au/document. asp? i. ID=263 • http: //www. mabonativetitle. com/info/aust. Ab. Progressiv e. Assoc. htm • http: //www. kooriweb. org/foley/essays/essay_15. html