Patriot Realm

Just as is the case in many countries around the world, Australians are increasingly confused about who is an Aboriginal Australian. Just like who is a woman? Who is a man?  What is a lie? What is misspeak? What is Propaganda? What is Misinformation? 

So many tough things to deal with these days.  But today, I would like to focus on the first issue. What is an Aboriginal Australian? Who is this person that seems so white these days yet is so passionately in touch with the spirits of the elders when they seemingly have a connection with the land and are capable of telepathic communication from the elders ... how is this happening? 

An Aboriginal community leader has raised concerns about the apparent increase in non-Aboriginal Australians claiming Indigenous identity.

The first thing we have to do is look at the difference between Aboriginal and Indigenous. I am no expert but as I understand it, Aboriginal is defined thus

" An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which he [or she] lives '

On the other hand, Indigenous is someone born in a country or "of that land. " 

That means that I am not Indigenous to Australia. I am an import. The British imported many things and many people during the days of the Empire. Some good, some bad. Rabbits spring to mind.  Facts are important. 

Maybe someone should report Telstra to the new Misinformation Hotline?  Let's face it. It was funny. 

In an interview with Sky News host Andrew Bolt on Monday, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) CEO, Mr Moran highlighted the increasing number of people self-identifying as Aboriginal without meeting established criteria.

“There's over 40 per cent of people who have identified as Aboriginal who were not born as Aboriginal,” he said.

“I can certainly attest, going back to the 90s, birth rates have not matched the identification or population of Aboriginal people.”

Mr Moran emphasised this issue has been brewing for decades, with increased scrutiny following a 2015 MLALC council meeting that exposed a surge in “identity fraud”.

“It’s out of control the amount of people who are self-identifying, assuming roles and jobs and… going on to provide policy advice, or to speak as authorities for Aboriginal people when they're not known to be Aboriginal,” Mr Moran said.

The Biripi Thungutti Goori man has argued this misrepresentation has undermined genuine Aboriginal voices and harmed the heritage claims of recognised communities.

He described this “identity fraud” as the “bastardisation of (Aboriginal) culture and heritage”.

“Those who might have discovered an ancestor then start speaking or claiming to speak as an authority over and above the legislated democratic organisation,” Mr Moran said.

The issue of Aboriginal identity has been brought to the forefront of public attention after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek ruled to block a gold mine reportedly on sacred Aboriginal land.

Ms Plibersek invoked section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act to effectively stop the mine's construction from going ahead.

She disregarded advice given by the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council which had consented to the mine’s development as the land was not of significant sacred value.

The Environment Minister instead sought advice from artist Nyree Reynolds, who has described herself as a “very light-skinned descendant” of a Wiradjuri woman “born in the 1820s”.

Let us be honest. this has become insulting to Aboriginals and is as demeaning as it is men winning sporting events in women's events because they identify as women. 

Identity politics is out of control. 

Our commenters on our blog decided to see how they could identify as Aboriginal Australians, knowing that they are not. But all it takes is a good story these days to pass yourself off as Aboriginal and you get a passport to the gold at the end of the rainbow. Oh, and before anyone gets all tetchy, we are joking. It is called a sense of humour. Satire. So don't get your leftie panties in a twist. 

Instead, just kick back and enjoy. 

One of our members here shared some incredible news today. ( He  is Irish ) He wrote : 

Wonderful and exciting news. I just found a book that has a page written in it that my Great Great grand aunt twice removed was a convict sent to Australia and had a child with a local aboriginal man. The child came back to Ireland and was reared by his Irish relatives and my Great grandfather married the daughter he had with a local Irish girl. That girl grew up and married my second cousin who in turn married my friend who then married my Dad and then loe and behold I was born. I am so excited.
I have Aboriginal heritage!
Not sure what tribe it is but I think it was the Guinessadjuri people of somewhere near where they want to build a gold mine somewhere. Now, to file my paperwork and cancel my lotto tickets. I think I just hit the jackpot.

 It wasn't long after that another poster who is a 5th generation Australian from Irish and Scottish descent responded: 

That is interesting . I think we might be related. Why, it was only last Christmas that I heard a story that has been passed down through the generations of my family about an Irish heritage from the Guinessadjuri people. Of course, I thought it was just bullshit. But I wonder if our people, the Beeranpubari people are from the same young man?

Suddenly, our blog came alive with other posters who were from the same clan. It was extraordinary. After extensive research, I discovered that the Beeranpubari people are closely linked to the Guinessadjuri people because of similar bladders. They are of the same tribe and bloodline as the Dontmindagroggerie people.

Here is where it gets interesting. A poster ( who hails from New Zealand originally ) chipped in. 

I am a member of the Dontmindagroggerie people. Is it possible that we are all members of the same people?
The ones that migrated from the old spiritual countries from the north? That crossed the oceans in chains and settled in the Great Southern Land as separate tribes? Those that the old people called the First Nations People?

I am reminded of an old aboriginal man I met in the Channel Country years ago who said to me : " If you get asked to tell the truth or get a new 4 wheel drive and a pocket full of money, what are you going to choose?  " He shrugged and took a sip of his beer. He added " Not my fault lady. I didn't offer the deal. I just took it. "

At the end of the day, we have elders from all places - just think of Slim Dusty warning us of what happens when supply chains break down... oh what a disaster....................