Aboriginal Studies
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Social Justice & Human Rights Issues:
A Comparative Investigation
Economic Independence
Investigation One
OUTCOMES
H2.3 discusses and analyses consequences of colonisation on contemporary Aboriginal cultural, political, social and economic life
H3.3 compares and evaluates current initiatives that reassert the social, economic and political independence of Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples
H4.5 compares and evaluates the histories and cultures of Indigenous Australian peoples with international Indigenous peoplesOverview
Students need to study their local Aboriginal community, and the Indigenous community within Australia and an overseas Indigenous community.
Students need to study the ways in which Aboriginal peoples incorporate economic systems into the environment. For each of the three case studies, students should examine the basis of economic life in the interaction with the environment. Areas to be examined could include provision of food, clothing, shelter and the technology required for these; trade; and the management of environmental resources. Specific examples are required.
The established and successful economic systems of indigenous groups were severely effected by colonisation and subsequent events. Students should give specific examples of the effects of dispossession in their three case studies, for example, the impact of forestry on the James Bay Cree land.
For each case study students should collect statistics on Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples' participation in the economy. These statistics need to be very specific for each case study. Statistics should include income, as well as other information relevant to a particular group. Some example areas could be employment, business, enterprises and initiatives, funding, investment and trends.
Governments have implemented economic programs and strategies. These vary considerably Australia wide, and many successful programs and strategies have been implemented and initiated by Aboriginal and Indigenous communities. Students should be sure they have detailed knowledge of examples from each case study. Some examples could be the South Coast Aboriginal Culture Centre or the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative.
Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples are attempting to reassert their economic independence in a variety of ways through their own initiatives, often very dependent on historical and geographical background. Again students need to have specific detailed knowledge. Some examples could be the outstation at Yaimini, The Navaho Casinos, the monetary settlements because of the Treaty of Waitangi ,and the ownership and of the Auckland Warriors Rugby League Team. These initiatives impact on other social justice and human rights issues.
Achieving economic independence is important in regaining land and maintaining culture. Students need to examine the community case studies, looking carefully at successful land claims, and identifying their impact on achieving economic independence and maintaining culture. This needs to be very specific to each case study.
Social and political changes are necessary to improve Aboriginal peoples' economic status.
Students need to examine current thinking from Aboriginal and Indigenous leaders and governments, but they also need to formulate the changes they see as necessary in their case studies by receiving their material.
Similarities and differences in economic independence issues should be outlined students. This can be done in table form, but again specific detail must be shown. Generalisations can be written across columns with specific detail underneath.
Three comparative communities Local Aboriginal Community National Australian Indigenous Community International Indigenous Community Example Casino -
BundjalungDubbo - Wiradjuri Cree Ways in which Aboriginal peoples incorporate economic systems into the environment Impact of colonisation Government programs and strategies Community initiatives Importance of regaining land Necessary social & political changes Go to next section of Investigation One
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