A BRIEF HISTORY
Family Violence is widespread within the indigenous community and is causing major family breakdowns. Indigenous women/men and their children are under great stress as they try to rebuild their families and communities in a land that has become unfamiliar to their community. Traditional aboriginal lore and family structure that was once inclusive of all persons within their tribes and community have been replace by white traditions and values that raped indigenous persons of their heritage as the first Australians before colonisation.
While it is important to realize that we cannot make excuses or minimize the pain suffered by any indigenous persons who has or still find themselves in a violent situation. Never the less, we must also not ignore the history or the impact of the dispossession of not just the land of this community, but also the destruction of the indigenous spirit as a whole, through British colonisation. It is through the window of the past that we see to the present and hopefully discover the solutions to rebuild both the spirit and families of those lives who has been shattered as a result of the white way.
Keeping these points in mind, perhaps we can understand the hurt, and move forward together to restore the remarkable strength of the people who came through the past 200 years and look forward to a brighter future. A future where enough is enough and violence within families is restored by hope, not emotions of shame and grief. Rather a reclaiming of traditions, spirit and a culture that has been strong enough to survive move than 40,000 years, proving to be a culture rich enough to withstand the test of time.
SO WHAT IS THE RESULT OF COLONISATION?
When the British arrived upon the shores of Australia, they brought their laws, economic currency, religion (Christianity), diseases and a vision for a country to move ahead in the world market place; a desire if you like to prosper. Non-indigenous Australians set out to fulfil their dreams and claimed the land needed to reach their goal.
Little regard, was shown towards indigenous persons, as this was a period in history of white superiority, this view was not only present within Australia, but also rampant in other parts of the world.
The white man built his churches and lived by the laws of the bible as well as the laws of the crown-British law. The bible has many scriptures (stories) stating the position of family structure, placing the man as the lawmaker over women within the family unit. You may ask how does this have anything to do with indigenous family violence. The attitudes of the white invasion spread like wide fire through to all people, including indigenous people. This was done through the process of what is termed 'white wash', in other words instilling the values of the non-indigenous community onto those seen as less than pure both in colour and behaviour. In order to fix the problem, governments implemented a number of policies, and gave this process a name "assimilation". The term was used to legitimise murder, imprisonment, forced labour, rape, the removal of children and to see to the extinction of the Aboriginal race.
As we move towards reconciliation, the subject of assimilation raised debate to the motivation of past government. Some non-indigenous persons believed it was in the best interest of aboriginal people to implement such policies, preserving indigenous children's souls, abolishing a primitive race. Regardless, of individual views of why such barbaric practices remained acceptable under the banner of assimilation. The past provides a snap shot of the journey so far, moreover it presents a picture of accumulated pain experienced within indigenous community as a result of past polices.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
Now is the time for all members of the community, non-indigenous and indigenous persons to speak out and work together for those who are hurting. Family violence is everyone business, as all in the community must stand accountable. Non-indigenous persons need to acknowledge the truth of the injustice inflicted upon the first Australians. Moreover, indigenous persons should be seen as knowing what best for their community in order to reclaim their culture.
It is through the pain of the past that people often turn to the use of alcohol, drugs, violence, helplessness, fighting, crime and suicide as a means to dampen hurtful memories.
Although there is another way and that is through education and awareness. Education should extend to indigenous and the non-indigenous community. Firstly, non-indigenous persons should understand the true history of Australia and subsequently develop a deeper empathy towards the plight of the indigenous community. Moreover, non-indigenous persons should understand why violence is termed family violence opposed to domestic violence. Secondly, as a result of education, indigenous women can become empowered to help their men, children, brothers, sisters, elders and themselves by understanding the different forms violence can take and how to seek assistance.
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