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Assimilation Of Aboriginal People Essay

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Post World War Two fear spread among many countries. Organisations such as The United Nations established to prevent further wars. Declarations such as The deceleration of Human Rights was created in hopes of a peaceful world. However peace was not achieved and Human rights were not followed through for everyone. Aboriginal people post WWII did not have the rights and freedoms that other Australian people had. This lead to Assimilation, Self Determination and Reconciliation.

In the 1930’s the idea of Assimilation of the Aboriginal culture into White culture was introduced and in the 1950’s it was officially a Government policy. Not only were Aboriginal people expected to conform to the ninety-seven percent “British-born” culture so were an …show more content…

A key element in the assimilation policy was the lack of citizenship for Aboriginal people. It took a referendum in 1967 for Aboriginal people to be finally recognised as a citizen of Australia. To be a citizen, a right that all White Australians had since birth, Aboriginal people had to apply for a certificate and cut all ties to their Aboriginal culture including family. To have the right to vote, move without restrictions, buy alcohol or making any decisions about their lives for themselves they had to have a certificate often regarded as a “dog collar” but had to deny their indigenous heritage. The government saw the certificates as a way to promote assimilation to the Aboriginal people however it did nit work as 14 000 Aboriginals were living in New South Wales at the time and only 1500 certificates were handed out. Since 1880 when the Aboriginal Protection Board (the APB) was established, Aboriginal children with European ancestry were taken away from their Aboriginal families and put into missionaries and foster homes where they were taught the “White way.” The Government believed Aboriginal culture was not a good way of life and they were “protecting”

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