Why do you criticise us for not living in the European way? (1) taps (2) bathrooms (3) stoves (4) toilets (5) houses (6) lights (7) kitchen.

When you like us to live in the European way we have to get all these things, but we do not have the money to buy all that. We need assistance of the Government because we had to change to money life and that means that we have to get jobs to get the money. We didnt need that in our way.

It is not easy to live in two ways, the Aboriginal way and the balanda way. You are telling us to combine the two ways, but that is not easy because on the one hand we depend on money and jobs and on the other hand we cannot live without our moieties, skingroups, dreamings, animals, country, totems and so on.

They say we are "full citizen" but we do not know what this really means, some of us think it means that you can drink as much grog as you like. As citizen we live in the balanda law, but we have our own law too.

Jack Mirritji, My People's Life An Aboriginal's Own Story, Millingimbi, 1976, p 71

Latest Papers

The working papers collection comprises historical papers as well as current ideas and works in progress on some of the major issues and topics of our times.

Stolen Generation II? (released 10 February 2015)
Aboriginal children in NSW are 9.8 times more likely than non-Aboriginal children to be in out-of-home care. It's a big issue in Aboriginal communities. Some are talking about Stolen Generation II. In this interview Lorraine Brown, Sue Leppan, Royden Butler and Gerry Moore talk about the issues.
» more
2015: Crunch Year for Indigenous Affairs An Interview with Warren Mundine 4 February 2015 (released 5 February 2015)
Warren Mundine describes 2015 as the crunch year for his Indigenous Advisory Council and the Abbott Government's Indigenous policy. Unless substantial progress is made in four key areas: educational participation, women and children's safety, employment and Indigenous incarceration rates then he judges that he and the Abbott government will have failed
» more
Vale Tom Uren (released 26 January 2015)
Vale Tom Uren (28 May 1921 – 26 January 2015)
» more
The Art of Aboriginal Saltwater Fishing: An Interview with the Legendary Ron Ardler and family (released 8 December 2014)
At one time there were 16 Aboriginal fishing companies supplying the Sydney fish markets from Wreck Bay south of Sydney. Now there is only one. All up and down the NSW coast we must ensure for environmental, cultural and economic reasons that Aboriginal fishing enterprises prosper into the 21st century and beyond.
» more
Mourning Two Australian Prime Ministers: Mary Gurruwiwi (1922-2014) Gough Whitlam (1916-2014) (released 4 November 2014)
This 30 page essay is a reflection on the death and legacy of E. G. Whitlam and Mary Gurruwiwi (whose name is used with family consent). It contains photographs taken by E. G. Whitlam in Yirrkala and Cooktown in the 1940s as well as photographs of the funeral for the great elder at Mata Mata which was occurring on the morning E.G. Whitlam passed away. There are also links to recordings and footage of the bungul (ceremony) at Mata Mata in accordance with family wishes.
» more
Governing from Gulkula (released 11 October 2014)
For four days Prime Minister Abbott ruled the country from the sacred area in NE Arnhem land called Gulkula.. did anything rub off? Maybe.
» more
"Go-On Bird": The Ongoing Struggle for Aboriginal Fishing Rights on the NSW South Coast (released 6 October 2014)
On October 18, 2014 on Candlagan Beach near Broulee Island a protest for the restoration of Aboriginal fishing rights will take place. In the lead up to that event in this hour and a half long interview John Brierley and Andrew Nye reflect on the history of NSW South Coast Aboriginal Fishing. The conversation, which was recorded in John Brierley's kitchen in Moruya on October 1, 2014, ranged from history, to licencing, to the issues of selling fish and developing a well resourced Aboriginal South Coast fishing industry that creates employment opportunities for young people.
» more
The Fire of Mata Mata (released 2 October 2014)
A discussion with Batumbil Burarrwanga, traditional owner, leader, master artist and weaver at her spiritual home, Mata Mata, on the Arafura Sea, North East Arnhem Land
» more
Wonders of the World (released 28 September 2014)
Tribute to one of the great men of Lake Evala
» more
The Greatest Show on Earth (released 15 September 2014)
Stephen Pigram, Australia’s greatest contemporary troubadour, is the artistic director of a show that will take not only Australia, but the world by storm.
» more

Pages