Hope?

I've just finished reading "Listening to Country" by Ros Moriarty. I highly recommend it! I found it inspiring and very moving. I wonder, is there hope?

Briefly:
Ros is a white woman who married John Moriarty, a man from Borroloola, who was stolen from his family, and reconnected much later. She describes the journey of connection with family, traditional Law and culture, and what it means that the young people haven't wanted to embrace the traditions. She describes richness of family life in the midst of poverty and the gradual but inexorable breakdown of culture. Interwoven with this story is the story of their family life and their business, Balarinji, now an international design agency, with well known Indigenous designs - the painted Qantas planes, for example.

As a newcomer here in Wadeye, a different community, I can only guess how the principles apply here. But - it does seem that traditional culture isn't strong in the town here.

I'm struggling to see how Indigenous cultures can flourish and progress in the context of white/mainstream/dominant culture, which sets the agendas and the rules. Is it possible for these two cultures to live side by side with mutual respect, and openness to the other?

Is it too late to undo the damage of European settlement and takeover?

Andy sent us a link to an article suggesting that we, the white community, need to become powerless, in order to make a difference, to allow Indigenous people to develop appropriate community programs.

http://blog.whywarriors.com.au/2012/letting-go-of-our-power/

It makes interesting reading. Is this a hopeful way forward? To trust Indigenous leadership enough, and to take a supportive role?

Ros Moriarty says, "Talk is cheap and words and symbolic gestures, while vital to the effort, will ring true only when we write a new Australian story that is scripted for John's family as well as mine. Pragmatism and empathy in balance might begin to turn the tide."

In the meantime, we are here in Wadeye, doing a medical job as part of a clinic team. I hope that as we go about it, we communicate respect - and I hope we empower people in their health. That's our goal in mainstream Leongatha medicine! It's not always easy there! So spare us a thought, and write them down!