In 1787 a fleet of 11 ships set sail from England, to later arrive in Australia on the 26th of January 1788. Aboard the 11 ships were approximately 1,500 people, most of whom were convicts. The impact of white settlers had a severe and devastating impact on Indigenous people. European settlement changed their lives, and the lives of future generations. Equality between Indigenous and Non-indigenous Australians has been achieved to a certain extent since European Settlement. However, there are various areas in which equal rights and opportunities are yet to be attained.
Before European settlement it is believed that the whole continent was occupied by at least 750 000 Aboriginal Australians. They lived under a system of land ownership with
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And that in a more civilised upbringing such as adopted white families or in government institutions they would receive a better education and a more loving family. Indigenous children were removed from their families and communities under assimilation legislation and placed institutions, were fostered out or adopted between 1901 and 1970. Many children were placed in substandard institutions or with unsatisfactory foster parents and as adults they continue to struggle to overcome their experiences of isolation, loss, trauma and often abuse (National Sorry Day Committee, 2015). This forcible removal of children was known as the Stolen Generation. Few Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal families have escaped the impacts of this, causing deep sorrow in the psyche or spirit for many Indigenous individuals, families and communities throughout …show more content…
They are continually faced with prejudice and discrimination as they do the simple everyday things. The vast majority of Indigenous Australians experience the major social issue of discrimination within schools, workplaces and throughout communities. In December 2000 the Final Report of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation noted: ‘Despite major advances, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders often still face prejudice when trying to rent a home, find a job, hire a taxi, get service in shops and banks, and when doing the simple everyday things’ (Reconciliation Australia,