I believe everyone should learn a bit more about the issues surrounding the Aboriginal people of Australia, because it plays an important part in the culture of Australia.
There are a lot of myths and gossip that goes around.

A good source of info is this publication by ATSIC (Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander Commission)
http://www.atsic.gov.au/News_Room/As...ile_option.asp
"As a Matter of Fact is a guide to reconciliation, a unique collection of facts and interpretations across a wide range of topics covering the historical experiences and current status of the First Australians.
The first edition has been used as a resource from schools to prisons."

You can read it online(HTML) or download it as a pdf.

The good thing is, it's quite a compact publication.
It tells about History, Funding, ATSIC, Specific programs, Land, and Community Attitudes.
Don't forget the foreword and the first bit.





Other reading:
My Place - Sally Morgan - (auto)biography about her life/lost generation
Wanamurraganya - Sally Morgan - biography about the life of Jack McPhee, Sally's grandfather

Rabbit Proof Fence (book and movie)

These ones I haven't read myself yet:
A Secret Country - John Pilger

Australia: Biography of a Nation- Philip Knightly

Other books I've heard about (anybody got opinions on these?)

Robert Hughes - The Fatal Shore (more about colonisation I think?)

John Moriarty -Saltwater Fella
(autobiografie of a man from the stolen generation)


So, anybody got some more tips??

I've just posted some info about ways of getting involved in aboriginal issues on another thread

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...73#post1320373

Hope this helps

Robert Hughes' book is very well known, but is pretty heavy going.

I would add that because of the sensitive nature of the aboriginal issue and the authors own potential agendas, readers should not restrict their reading to, say, one book.

Saw the end of a television programme yesterday which was all about the Sally Morgan book. They were saying that the book was not a balanced view of the past and gave rise to a lot of questions.

Basically the point being made by the report is that there are two sides to any story so make sure you read both accounts before drawing a conclusion.

Yep, always two sides (or more!!)

Hmm, wondering how Sally's book could not have been balanced, as it is an autobiography, and mostly just about her life and that of her mother and grandmother.
Would've been interesting to see that program.......Got any more details