Vig Gedes

Batman and other pastoralists in Tasmania saw great opportunities to make a lot of money by bringing their sheep to Victoria from Tasmania. Batman did a dodgy deal with First Nations people on Port Phillip giving them trinkets and tools in exchange for land ( which they had no authority to do). Very soon there were thousands of sheep across the western plains and other areas. One of the fastest colonial expansions anywhere in the world? Pastora lists murdered Indigenous people, raped women, took over their land. The stock compacted the soil and ruined native vegetation. The majority of the indigenous population was wiped out by murder and the spread of small pox. The impact of colonisation is still affects First Nations People …. health, life expectancy, mental health issues, removal

In primary school we learned about First Nations People living in humpies and hunting kangaroos. We did some drawings. There was nothing about First Nations people in my high school education. I studied history in year 12 in 1996. The subject was called British History but most of it covered the history of Australia since colonisation began. We read Manning Clark’s “The History of Australia”. I don’t remember any mention of First Nations People. We read a lot about the gold rushes, the beginnings of the trade union movement, early publications, and the steps towards Federation

The history of colonisation and its impact on First Nations Peoples should be covered in schools. There should also be an introduction to indigenous culture and world view. maybe there could be studentships to encourage First Nations People to become teachers. Encouraging organisations to conduct acknowledgments of country and welcomes to country where appropriate. Organisations could be encouraged to acknowledge the land on which their work is conducted. ( like the ABC always commences programs by acknowledging the land on which the individual broadcaster is working). Members of Parliament to undertake community education about indigenous history in their electorates and to include acknowledgements and educative materials on their website. They could also include reference to that history when giving public presentations. Government to ensure that First Nations People are always consulted on issues which affect them. Government could promote First Nations events such as NAIDOC week. (Do MPs normally attend the NAIDOC march?).

Become very informed about history of colonisation and its impact on First Nations people. There are now a lot of books, articles and films that are easily accessible. Ensure that we understand the Treaty process and keep up to date on developments. Then we can introduce the issue for discussion with our friends and families. With the Liberals in Victoria planning to abandon the Treaty process if they are elected, its important that people understand the importance of Treaty.

Become very informed about history of colonisation and its impact on First Nations people. There are now a lot of books, articles and films that are easily accessible. Ensure that we understand the Treaty process and keep up to date on developments. Then we can introduce the issue for discussion with our friends and families. With the Liberals in Victoria planning to abandon the Treaty process if they are elected, its important that people understand the importance of Treaty.