State Library of Queensland and Education and the Arts

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State Library of Queensland and Education and
the Arts

• New Initiatives in Progress

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Gift of Presence

• A collection of words and images about
  reconciliation
• Online exhibition
• Education package including teachers resources
  and hands on activities

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Gift of Presence Online

• Chats and Forum
• Training of Public Library staff
• Reconciliation Week 30th May - 3rd June
• NAIDOC Week 5th - 8th July
• National Aboriginal Day 8th June
• International Day of World Indigenous
  Peoples9th August
• Unit of Work Curriculum Exchange

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Guests Include

• Meme McDonald
• Aden Ridgeway
• Andrew Slack
• Ray Martin
• David Hudson
• Anna Bligh

• Yothu Yindi
• Jackie Huggins

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Aden Ridgeway Australian Democrat Senator for NSW

• Tanjgt Aden, what do you know about the Inquiry
  conducted by the Human Rights and Equal
  Opportunity Commission?
• Adengt Hi Tanja! The inquiry to which you refer
  is one conducted in the mid to late 90's and on
  26 May, 1997, the Bringing Them Home was
  released. It was a significant report because for
  the first time, many of those Aboriginal people
  who had been removed from their mother's and
  families got to tell their stories and receive
  some recognition for the personal pain they
  suffered for some many years.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
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Aden Ridgeway Australian Democrat Senator for NSW

• Darlenegt Aden, we have been looking at racism
  in our Modern History course. I am concerned
  about treatment of different peoples. What can
  we as students do to help reduce racism in our
  community?
• Adengt Just on racism, I think change begins with
  understanding and the first thing that must
  happen is learning about the 'black history' of
  our country. That is why, I believe it is so
  important to make compulsory Aboriginal studies
  because if people don't know about the past, they
  have no appreciation of the present and no
  capacity to support the need for change.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
7
Aden Ridgeway Australian Democrat Senator for NSW

• Sarahgt Aden, I'm with my Legal Studies class at
  the moment. Lately, we've been talking about a
  few different issues. One of those has been the
  Stolen Generation. We've heard some info about
  the govt saying sorry. What would they be saying
  sorry for?
• Adengt Sarah ... being able to say Sorry is so
  vitally important if we are to come to terms with
  our past. First, we must acknowledge that these
  things happened, second we must recognise the
  harm caused, and third, saying sorry, validates
  and affirms these people's stories. Once done, it
  then opens the way for personal healing to occur
  so that people may put some parts of their lives
  back together especially family re-unions,
  returning to country, learning about their lost
  culture.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
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Aden Ridgeway Australian Democrat Senator for NSW

• Darlenegt Would Australia be leading the way if
  we said sorry, or are there other countries
  already making that first step?
• Adengt Darlene ... many countries have said sorry
  and given formal apologies within their
  Parliaments. For example, former President Bill
  Clinton apologised to African Americans for
  slavery and acknowledged the pain and suffering
  caused by the practices of slavery. UK Prime
  Minister Tony Blair apologised to Ireland for
  Britain not coming to their aid during the potato
  famine. The Queen apologised to the Maori in NZ
  for harm caused and Canada is about to go down
  this path. Even the last Pope apologised to many
  middle eastern countries for atrocities 900
  hundred years ago with Christian Crusades in the
  Holy Land. It can be simple but requires the
  right leadership and courage to acknowledge the
  wrongs of the past .

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
9
Aden Ridgeway Australian Democrat Senator for NSW

• Lucygt Hi Aden, What do you think white
  Australians value about the Aboriginal culture?
• Adengt Hi Lucy ... I think Australians do value
  Indigenous culture but sadly this is mostly seen
  through marketing for tourism and other same type
  products like jumbo jets flying through the
  air. I would like to think that there is an
  opportunity to learn about languages, stories of
  local people and to share in what is the oldest
  living culture in the world.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
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Andrew SlackSports Editor, Channel 9, Brisbane

• Extract taken from the Online Exhibition at State
  Library of Queensland
• http//giftofpresence.slq.qld.gov.au
• Andrewgt I've never seen a definition of
  Reconciliation and I don't know anyone who has.
  If it means having to feel personal guilt for
  injustices of the past, I don't. If it means
  being disgusted by them, I do. If it means a
  growing respect and acceptance between Indigenous
  and other inhabitants of this country if it
  means an awareness that our way is not always the
  only way if it means a capacity to make the most
  of our circumstances and see all our fellow
  Australians as true equals then we must embrace
  it for all it's worth.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
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Andrew SlackSports Editor, Channel 9, Brisbane

• McDowallgt Why do you think reconciliation
  involves us - our generation?
• Andrewgt If reconciliation is to work, no one can
  really opt out ... it's not about one generation
  or the other..it's about people who care,
  whatever your age. When does a generation start
  and stop anyway?
• Andrewgt If you mean how would I involve "your"
  generation I would do what I'd do with anyone
  else ... talk, but more importantly, listen.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
12
Andrew SlackSports Editor, Channel 9, Brisbane

• McDowallgt Hello Mr Slack How is working
  together in a football team similar to working
  for reconciliation in Australia?
• Andrewgt In a footy team, we all have different
  skills, personalities, strengths and weaknesses -
  for the team to be able to perform well, we all
  have to accept that and in certain cases use our
  skills to help our team mates and in other cases
  be prepared to ask for help when it is us who are
  wanting ... actually, now that you have hit on
  it, I reckon teamwork is a better word than
  reconciliation - to solve a problem we need to
  look forward and work as one.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
13
Andrew SlackSports Editor, Channel 9, Brisbane

• Robingt Reconciliation is for everyone, no one
  can opt out, some people think that
  Reconciliation is just for Indigenous people.
• Andrewgt Robin, we're all people aren't we and we
  all deserve the same things - doesn't matter what
  colour we are, what language we speak or how
  smart we are.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
14
Andrew SlackSports Editor, Channel 9, Brisbane

• Redbankgt What is reconciliation?
• Andrewgt I think reconciliation is something that
  has to be ongoing ... it's only been addressed in
  recent years and it now has to be something which
  we are constantly aware of. We won't be able to
  go to bed one night and say, There you go,
  reconciliation has been sorted, let's move on! .

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
15
David HudsonMusician, Artist, Entertainer

• Annagt What do you think about reconciliation?
• Davidgt Its a long process but the sooner people
  realise we are all one race the better off we
  will be, The human race, We all bleed red!"

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
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David HudsonMusician, Artist, Entertainer

• Annagt David - this is a very common symbol - he
  two hands held together - for reconciliation -
  what is your emotional reaction to this image?
• Davidgt I like it very much. Kids are colour
  born. Its the negative media that portrays
  conflict between people especially black
  Australians. Its typical to stereotype that all
  blacks drink grog, etc, its tiresome and boring.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
17
Ray Martin

• McDowallgt Hello Mr Martin ... can you see a
  positive future for reconciliation in Australia?
  
• Raygt Yeh, because the only other option is to
  stay where we are and not go forward. That's not
  really an option. I think the secret lies with
  young Australians, they're the answer. You are
  the answer. Too many ol' fellas trying to keep
  things the way they've been is no good. You have
  to start moving.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
18
Ray Martin

• Mooloolahgt Hello Mr Martin, Could you please
  tell us your story as an Aboriginal person.
• Raygt Mooloolah, what a great name. My great
  great grandmother was a koori woman. She was a
  member of the Kamilaroi nation, which lived in
  northern NSW and into southern Queensland. Her
  name was Bertha, she married my white fella great
  great grandfather (on my mother's side) and she
  lived to a ripe old age. She tragically died in a
  cooking fire when her dress caught on fire. I
  don't know anything else about Bertha but I
  intend to try and find out more. I have mostly
  Irish ancestors, but I'm very proud of my
  aboriginal connection. Thanks for asking.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
19
Ray Martin

• McDowallgt That is interesting. We didn't know
  about your ancestry. How does that make you feel
  about the reconciliation process?
• Raygt I was on the Aboriginal reconciliation
  Council for 10 years. I have travelled widely
  across Australia to lots of indigenous
  communities and talked to thousands of people
  about reconciliation. I was given the job of
  organising THAT big march across the Sydney
  Harbour Bridge back in 2000. About 300,000 people
  - mostly white - marched in support of
  reconciliation. I strongly believe in
  reconciliation. I believe the federal Govt should
  say Sorry but we can't let that distract us. We
  have to make sure that children are educated,
  that old people don't go blind, that jobs are
  available and Australians like you don't miss out
  on opportunities. It's a living process. We can't
  think someone else will fix the problem. We have
  to fix it. You must fix it.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
20
Ray Martin

• McDowallgt What do you think it would mean to
  the aboriginal people if the government said
  sorry?
• Raygt I don't think its as important to
  aboriginal people as health, education, jobs and
  housing. But, saying Sorry is very symbolic. It
  would finally be a recognition of terrible
  policies carried out by past governments that
  brought so much pain and suffering to aboriginal
  people. I just can't explain WHY its so hard for
  some people to say Sorry, especially the Prime
  Minister. I think Aboriginal people would feel
  their hearts lift if the Govt said Sorry. It
  won't bring back the Lost generations but it
  would be a wonderful act of healing.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
21
Ray Martin

• Mooloolahgt Do you think your role in the media
  can help reconciliation?
• Raygt I think the media has a major role to
  play. The media can force politicians to pay
  attention to issues, like reconciliation. I think
  the media was responsible in the late 1990's for
  bring the governments forward on reconciliation.
  But, too often media stories about indigenous
  people focus on riots, violence, drinking and
  petrol sniffing. It has to be handled much more
  sensitively. But, having said that, the media is
  much more responsible today than it has been in
  the past.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
22
Meme McDonald Australian Childrens Author

• Studentgt Can you describe what reconciliation
  means to you?
• Memegt Reconciliation means many things to me.
  It means getting to know who you are ... where
  you come from ... the history of the land you
  walk on each day ... it means making friends.
  What does it mean to you?

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
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Meme McDonald Australian Childrens Author

• Meme and Boorigt Boori has a quote on the back of
  Maybe Tomorrow - the first book we wrote together
  
• To feel happy about yourself, you must feel
  happy about the place you live in. To feel happy
  about the place you live in, you must get to know
  that place. To get to know that place, you must
  ask the people who have lived there the longest,
  the Aboriginal people. We have the key that can
  open the door to the treasures of this land.
• Boori Monty Pryor (he's a great bloke!)

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
24
Meme McDonald Australian Childrens Author

• Studentgt Do you think we, as the next
  generation could make a difference to the
  treatment of Aboriginal people? If so, how?
• Memegt Great question absolutely ... you are
  already making a difference because you are
  asking questions and wanting to find out ... that
  is the first great step towards changing anything
  ... the second most important step is listening
  ... listening before you make up your mind what
  your opinion is.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place
25
Meme McDonald Australian Childrens Author

• Studentgt Meme, as a white Australian female I
  want to be a part of reconciliation week, but
  don't know where to start, as an individual do
  you have any suggestions what I can do not just
  the week but a part of reconciliation in
  Australia.
• Meme gt Reconciliation is about getting to know
  your own place, I think ... so, finding out the
  history where you live is a first step. This
  usually means you need to ask the Aboriginal
  people in your area. An important tip is that it
  is a life long journey, so don't expect huge
  things to happen overnight on that journey. Be
  patient and respectful.

Extracts taken from a series of online chats held
between online guests and students from across
Qld as part of the partnerships between State
Library of Qld and Education and the Arts
e-learning environment, The Learning Place