By Marg Lynn
NOEL Pearson, the Cape York Aboriginal leader, has written that Australia’s history is based on three great narratives.
The first is that we have the longest living culture on earth, a culture that sustained and shaped this land for 60,000 years, and whose people have much to offer us still in generously sharing the wisdom of the land.
The second narrative starts with colonial settlement and describes the achievements of 230 years, the prosperity created through the development and diversification of industry, the building of fine institutions through education and hard work, and the creation of solid governance structures that provide us with stability and security.
We have kept in the shadows of this narrative the dispossession of our First People.
NOEL Pearson, the Cape York Aboriginal leader, has written that Australia’s history is based on three great narratives.
The first is that we have the longest living culture on earth, a culture that sustained and shaped this land for 60,000 years, and whose people have much to offer us still in generously sharing the wisdom of the land.
The second narrative starts with colonial settlement and describes the achievements of 230 years, the prosperity created through the development and diversification of industry, the building of fine institutions through education and hard work, and the creation of solid governance structures that provide us with stability and security.
We have kept in the shadows of this narrative the dispossession of our First People.
