Recently I was updating on issues surrounding aboriginal heritage in Western Australia, in particular the destruction of aboriginal heritage sites by FMG. A close friend of mine passed on through my email network some information that distressed me.
It appears that FMG have destroyed aboriginal heritage sites, either deliberately or not, during the clearing of land for the construction of the Solomon Mine.
I spent the day at work on Thursday pondering the consequences of what FMG had done and why? I also spent a lot of time trying to get over my anger. Why is it that we denigrate aboriginal history so easily and not think about the consequences? Why is it that aboriginal ethnography is considered to be unimportant because it is oral and not written lore. I found that the destruction of aboriginal heritage sites made me feel sick in the stomach. And even though it is not my particular country that the sites are in I feel as though I have been moved aside because I am unimportant. The reason I feel this way is because aboriginal sites are about our lore, our culture, our lifestyle, our law and our survival. It is the one thing that teaches us how to live and survive. It is who we are.
Interestingly one of my colleagues who is also aboriginal, asked me how I felt about the destruction caused by FMG's lack of care and lack of due diligence. At the time I felt miserable. My response to the question my colleague had asked was 'I feel distressed'. It distresses me that money is more important than culture and heritage. It distresses me even more that FMG are trying to get out of being prosecuted by laying the blame at the feet of the archaeologist who conducted the research. I am distressed that our Minister for Indigenous Affairs signed the section 18 consent in direct violation of the recommendations of the ACMC. It distresses me that the heritage that has been destroyed is not retrievable. It distresses me that we continually allow mining magnates to dictate the rules of engagement and that those rules change when ever it suits them not us. It distresses me.
Why do we have an aboriginal heritage act if it is allowed to be misused? Why does our government pretend to care when this particular chain of events has shown that this government does not care at all. I am distressed by this and I am in pain. I have lost my faith in government, again.
In previous blogs I have tried to share the feeling and importance of being one with country and how that connection is within ourselves as a people. Aboriginal australians no matter where they live are born with this genetic inheritance of connection to country, nature and life itself. We are one. I cannot describe the pain that the destruction of heritage sites has caused me. I fail to understand the stupidity of this act that violates the Yindjibarndi people. Words are failing me in my distress.
I have attached some links for you all to check out. Please make the effort to check out the links. Changing the world requires us to sometimes raise our voice in protest even if that goes against our usual way of doing things. For if we do not raise our voices this senseless destruction of aboriginal heritage sites will not stop here. Eventually it will come to your town and it won't be aboriginal, it will be a heritage site that is of importance to non-indigenous people and government will dismiss it as unimportant because the drive to make money will over ride the desire to preserve the important things in life.
Don't wait until its on your doorstep. Raise you voice in concern for the lack of decision making by our government that affects all our lives.
Links to check out:
http://yindjibarndi.org.au/yindjibarndi/
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/323674/no-legal-action-for-fmg-over-sacred-site-desecration/?cs=12
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/fmg-admits-indigenous-sites-were-damaged/4256466/?site=indigenous
Today life is not so good!
I heard about this on the ABC news. It made me feel upset too.
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation.....as a wadjela I am just as distressed as you about all the points that you raised. I know it has particular significance for you because you are Aboriginal, but it has significance for me because I am a human being on a planet I love and I can't stand what we are doing to it OR Aboriginal people. I am also distressed that money dominates, that decisions are made by people with little social conscience. I grapple with it every day.
On the plus side - I am closely watching the demise of FMG as we speak. They have suspended trading on their shares until Tuesday because they are losing too much money. The price of iron ore has plummeted and they are overextended financially to the max - they are having to refinance. I feel awkward about saying it but I treat this as good news. It won't bring Aboriginal heritage back, but as the world economy continues to stagnate, some very good things will come out of it - even if it's me that loses my job!
Thanks MF for sharing. I understand what you are saying and I share your concerns because you are absolutely correct. This planet belongs to all of us and it ours together and it is together that we can save it.
ReplyDeleteThe demise of FMG does not make me feel any better. But as you say good things can come out of this. I wonder if the real lesson will be learned. RESPECT is a simple but complex word don't you think?
Yes, simple but complex.
ReplyDeleteIt's bloody heartbreaking...they are ripping the guts out of country everywhere! I'm with you MF, the sooner the system collapses the better... either that or Mother Earth takes matters into her own hands and reminds us all who came first.
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