My brother Cam lent me an incredible documentary called 'Our Generation' which moved me to tears and inspired me get involved.
'Our Generation' is a journey into Australia’s indigenous relations, from colonisation until the present day. It looks at Australia’s ongoing policies of paternalism and assimilation, explains the real issues underlying Indigenous disadvantage in this “lucky” country, and upholds the right of First Australians to dignity, culture and empowerment in their own country.
The project started out in June 2007, in response to the Howard Government’s controversial ‘Emergency Intervention’ into Aboriginal communities in Australia’s remote Northern Territory. All in the name of ‘protecting children’, the Intervention took away all existing Aboriginal land rights, suspended the Racial Discrimination Act and placed over 70 communities under compulsory government control.
No Aboriginal people living in these communities have had any say in these decisions being made about their lives, their lands and their future. And mainstream media has ignored their voices, and their plight.
Here is the official trailer...
Please visit the 'Our Generation' website and please watch/buy this incredible documentary.
BONES by emilybarker
The lyrics to 'Bones' are inspired by Australia's largely untold history: a history of sweeping atrocities under the rug, a history of silencing Australia's first people, a history of ignoring their voices and insulting their culture.
