ProtectionThe origins of the Protection policy were in the 19th century concept of paternalism. - the belief that Aboriginal people were unable to care for themselves or make effective decisions as they were inferior and uncivilised.

It was the responsibility of the government to act as their ‘parent’ or ‘protector’.

In 1909 a Board for the Protection of Aborigines was established. It had powers to:

control money for the assistance of Aboriginal people, restrict the movement of Aboriginal people within and across reserves, remove Aboriginal children from their families to ‘educate’ them in a

civilised way and supervise and control all matters concerning Aborigines.

Cootamundra Aboriginal Girls’ Training Home

AssimilationIn the 1940s the government policy shifted from protection to assimilation.

Assimilation focused mainly on Aboriginal people of mixed blood

Aimed to have Aboriginal people living as ‘white Australians’, to get them to give up their traditional culture and beliefs.

During assimilation, the exemption certificate, supposedly gave Aboriginal people the same citizenship rights as white Australians – if they could prove they had abandoned their traditional way of life.

In reality, Aboriginal people lived on the fringes of society in shanty towns.

IntegrationFollowing a wave of Aboriginal protest in the 1950s and 60s, a policy of integration was established, and it influenced the government initiatives in the 1970s.

Integration aimed for Aboriginal people to participate in white society, while at the same time maintaining their identity within the wider community.

Segregation was ended.

Aboriginal families were moved off reserves and into housing estates, where they were scattered among non-Aboriginal families.

In reality, the policy of integration differed very little from integration, although there was greater interaction within Housing Commission estates.

http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1264445/charles-perkins-campaigns-for-aboriginal-rights

Self DeterminationThe Whitlam government adopted the policy of self-determination for Indigenous Australians in 1972.

Self-determination refers to Aboriginal people having the right to control all aspects of their lives at a personal, community and national level.

During this period there was a resurgence of Aboriginal pride and culture and the creation of Aboriginal organisations such as:• The Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS),• National Aboriginal and Islander Dance Theatre• Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS), and• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)

ReconciliationReconciliation is the process of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians coming together to acknowledge the past and work together for a positive future.

In 1992 the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established. It outlined three main points to be acknowledge for the achievement of reconciliation:

1. Indigenous Australians were the first inhabitants of Australia.2. Indigenous Australians have been disadvantaged by the removal of their

land.3. White and Indigenous Australians should live together in harmony.

However, the reconciliation process has been damaged by successive governments stepping away from the policy of self-determination, by the closing ATSIC and taking back control of Aboriginal policies, programs and income from royalties.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TZOGpG6cM Kevin Rudd’s Apology to the Stolen Generations - Feb 2008