Australian Aborigines

The Aboriginal people are known as the first Australians who have lived here for at least forty thousand years. They were nomadic hunters and gatherers, who lived in tribes of twenty to forty people. Therefore, they had few possessions. The Aborigines had strong religious belief and felt that the natural world contained strong spirits. However, when the Europeans landed at Farm Cove, this lifestyle was largely destroyed.

The first fleet of Europeans came here on January 26, 1788 and then this day was chosen as Australia's Independence Day. The first contact was friendly and curious between two sides. The Europeans were very impressed because the Aborigines had swum into water to meet them. Nevertheless, the unfortunate conflict occured and it was increasing. The Europeans had come here to invade the Aborigines terriory, military was used to crush resistance of indigenous people. Because of this, the Aborigines excluded from European's settlement and then they were imprisoned.

In early 1880s, the Bristish tried to domesticate and change Aborigines's traditional way of life. Many attemps were made at peaceful conversation to convert them to Christianity. They were given elemantary education and were trained basic skills such as sewing and capentry. After that, the Aborigines were assimilated and they worked for British on British's farms.

By late 1880s, the remaining Aborigines were concentrated on reserves. They were banned from drinking alcohol, they had no right to vote, even their marriage problems also interfered. So everything was under control of white protectors.

However, there were many changes after 1950: In 1962, all Abrorigines had the right to vote. They had limited land right in 1970s and compensation for land in 1980s. Until 1995, the Aboriginal flag with a golden sun on the red and black background became the official flag of Australia.

Today, the Aborigines are still second class citizen. They have poor education, job discrimination, low life expectance. They also are accounted for imprisonment, alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence higher than whites in this country.