I believe that kinship is a better word to express Aboriginal peoples' relationship to
the land but it is
only a part of the story. I agree with Graham that as a legal description it is not
near enough. Another
thing that bothers me is the "the nation's first people" which I think does not
recognise the many language
and cultural groups which make up the First peoples of this land.
So far as I can see the document has removed some of the most outrageous language but
the document that
remains falls far short of even the minimum recognition due to the First Peoples.
Trudy
tim dunlop wrote:
> Here's the latest attempt by John and Meg Howard - seems better, but haven't
> had time to think about it yet. Using 'kinship' instead of custodianship or
> stewardship seems to be the main change. Kinship?
>
> Tim
>
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 2:35 AM
> Subject: Prime Minister's Media Centre - PROPOSED PREAMBLE
>
> >
> >
> >PROPOSED PREAMBLE
> >
> >
> >With hope in God, the Commonwealth of Australia is constituted as a
> >democracy with a federal system of Government to serve the common good.
> >
> >We the Australian people commit ourselves to this Constitution
> >
> >proud that our national unity has been forged by Australians from many
> >ancestries;
> >
> >never forgetting the sacrifices of all who defended our country and our
> >liberty in time of war;
> >
> >upholding freedom, tolerance, individual dignity and the rule of law;
> >
> >honouring Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nation�s first
> people,
> >for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and
> continuing
> >cultures which enrich the life of our country;
> >
> >recognising the nation-building contribution of generations of immigrants;
> >
> >mindful of our responsibility to protect our unique natural environment;
> >
> >supportive of achievement as well as equality of opportunity for all;
> >
> >and valuing independence as dearly as the national spirit which binds us
> >together in both adversity and success.
-------------------------------------------------------
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