Random thoughts on a gathering with aboriginal women

Today I went to "Western Australia Community Gathering - How non-Aboriginal women can stand in solidarity with Aboriginal women and communities".

I might unpack it a bit later, and callistra was taking notes so probably has more detailed stuff she can say. But before I forget, here's some general impressions.

The overall ideas I took from it was even more cynicism towards international "human rights" etc groups like Amnesty International, and not thinking of aboriginal australians and Torres Strait islanders(*) as victims who need to be saved. Its funny, I remember years ago finding out about the English in the 19th century hand wringing about the "Irish problem", as if the irish were just this pathetic group of lazy drunks in need of aid rather than determined and capable but stymied by a clearly unjust and continuing pattern of conquest and injustice, with the english as kind hearted benefactors rather than genocidal oppressors, and thinking "You idiots! Just stop actively oppressing them and give them self determination!". Yet it wasn't until today that it really occurred to me to think the same way about the "aboriginal problem". Also while I have for a while been in favour in theory of aboriginal australians etc having the space to do things their own way rather than us only being willing to "help" them if they're willing to become just like us, until today I hadn't really encountered any examples of self confident, successful aboriginal australians and Torres Strait islanders living (as much as they can) "their way" in our society, and articulating what "their way" is. (More in tune with the land, connected to family, less materialistic are the things I picked up, but I'm pretty sure it's more complex than that)

(*)From what I can tell they don't like being referred to as "indigenous" since it's an external term coined by the government. As seaya (an american! How embarrassing!) reminded me, "aborigine" is still bad, and that's not the term they used.

It was also interesting to note how similar the language and ideas were to the ones I've seen in online (american dominated) race discussions, ie "people of colour" "white privilige" etc. There was also some mention of disability and GLBT issues and their intersection with gender and race (including from a disabled woman) but I'm not sure enough was said to make much difference since I'm pretty sure we were all the sort to be in favour of that sort of inclusivity in principle.

I find myself feeling like I really should know more about aboriginal history, and the Noongar people in particular. Hmm.

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