issues for Aboriginal spiritualities in relation to disposession

Question 1

What is dispossession?

Answer 1

Removal of children from their lands and families. Whites felt that Aboriginal life was barbaric and sought to change it, undermining law, authority and relationship to land.

Question 2

What did dispossession lead to?

Answer 2

The stolen generation.

Question 3

What were the immediate effects of dispossession?

Answer 3

• Assimilation policy.

- Children forced to shed their spiritual identity.

Question 4

What happened as a result of assimilation and dispossession?

Answer 4

• Loss of family identity, separated from families.
• Loss of spiritual connection, because no connection to their lands. Meant no spiritual expression or cultural identity.
• Separation from Kinship groups

Question 5

What did separation from Kinship groups result in?

Answer 5

Absence of spiritual obligation, and lack of behavioral rulings and purpose.

• This led to alcohol abuse, a continuing effect still devastating the Aboriginal youth. This in turn, results in poor economic and health status, evident in life expectancy.

Question 6

What did these policies do to the Stolen generation?

Answer 6

Separate from culture, and family. Did not know their families and had no real role models.

• This resulted in poor education and employment.
• As well as diminishing family relationships. E.G; Drinking and domestic violence. This means economic and personal instability, thus reducing chance of life opportunities.