Kirkbright, Chris --- "Unity: Our Greatest Asset" [1988] AboriginalLawB 56; (1988) 1(35) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 2

• Unity: Our Greatest Asset

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Unity: Our Greatest Asset

by Chris Kirkbright

The year 1988 all but ended, has yet to provide an example of a spontaneous out-pouring of national pride from the Australian population.

However, in contrast, the Aboriginal movement has gone from strength to strength achieving new levels of effectiveness and sophistication. All major political events associated with the Bi-centennial celebrations have been used by the Aboriginal movement to draw attention to the continuing injustices and oppression experienced by Aboriginal people. This is testimony to the value of unity and co-operation which was evident from the outset of 1988 with Aboriginal groups and their supporters rallying and co-operating right throughout Australia. And so during January 1988, in Sydney, Aboriginal people from all over Australia together with massive support from other Australians, rallied at all Bicentennial events, especially on the 26th to show a presence and to make a powerful and dignified statement of survival.

Likewise at two other major events of 1988, the opening of the new Federal Parliament House in Canberra and Expo 88 in Brisbane, Aboriginal people and their supporters drew the attention of the world to the plight of Aboriginal people in 1988.

The failure of the Bicentennial Authority, the governments and the corporate sector to excite a genuine outpouring of national pride gives credence to the famous words of Xavier Herbert where he said;

"Until we give back to the black man just a bit of the land that was his and give it back with out strings to snatch it back, without anything but generosity of spirit in concession for the evil that we have done to him - until we do that we shall remain what we have always been so far, a people without integrity, not a nation but a community of thieves."

The Aboriginal people have achieved new levels of unity and co-operation during 1988. Exposing the hypocracy of Australian society and Australian Governments in the so-called celebrations. In particular the Aboriginal movement was able to draw the attention of the international media to the continuing injustices and oppression of Aboriginal people.

So while Australians indulged in their favourite past-time of hiding the ugly truths of Australian history, Aboriginal people were able to remind Australians and the world of the unsatisfied claims of Aboriginal people for justice, equality, land rights and Aboriginal sovereignty.

Other major events of 1988 are also testimony to the courage and unity of Aboriginal people and their supporters. In particular the continuing investigations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the signing of an agreement to enter into treaty negotiations by Prime Minister Hawke at Burunga in the Northern Territory this year.

1988 has therefore turned out to be a year of victory for Aboriginal people who can stand proud that we have survived, that we have conducted ourselves with dignity and that we have been so capable of exposing the lies and deceits promoted by Australian governments and the Bicentennial Authority throughout 1988.

The year in hindsight has therefore strengthened our movement and stands us in good stead to continue our struggle for justice, equality, land rights and Aboriginal Sovereignty.

Chris Kirkbright is of the National Coalition of Aboriginal Organisations