Indigenous Australians marginalized in today’s society
Introduction
Archaeologists believe that aboriginals first came to Australia about 45, 000 years ago and were the only population of humans in Australia until the British invasion. There are about 500 different aboriginal groups each with their own language and territory and usually made up of several separate clans. The aboriginals of Australia are marginalised in today society. This marginalisation began right back during the British invasion where they were evicted from their own country, the stolen generation occurred and their health care, education, employment and housing was severely limited. Aboriginals generally live in poor conditions and choose unhealthy lifestyle choices they also make up a disproportionate section in the prison population; this continues the negative attitudes that society has towards aboriginals today.
History
Aboriginals trace their creation back to the dreamtime, an era long past when they believe the earth was first formed by creatures. The dreamtime theory was that these creatures started human society and made all natural things and put them in special places. An aboriginal man once said “Aboriginals have a special connection with everything that is natural. Aboriginals see themselves as part of nature … All things on earth we see as part human. It is true that people who belong to a particular area are really part of that area and if that area is destroyed they are also destroyed.” Towards the end of the 17th century their land was invaded and this marked the start of the vexation on their culture and people.
At first the British had hoped to incorporate the aboriginals into their culture and make them work in the new colony. Soon, however there were clashes of land and the settlers started to kill the indigenous people. As British settlement grew aboriginals became