ABC News: Paul Keating Redfern Speech (1992)

Summary

In his speech, Prime Minister Paul Keating addresses the launch of the International Year of the World's Indigenous People, acknowledging the long history of dispossession faced by Indigenous Australians. He highlights the harmful actions of non-Aboriginal Australians, such as land theft, violence, and discrimination, while emphasizing the resilience and enduring culture of Indigenous people. Keating stresses that the path forward requires recognition of this dark history and asserts that the survival of Indigenous Australians as part of the modern nation is vital for Australia's identity and humanity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Paul Kading, officially launches the International Year of the World's Indigenous People.
• 😀 The importance of bringing the dispossessed Indigenous people out of the shadows and recognizing their place in Australian society is highlighted.
• 😀 The speech emphasizes that acknowledging the dispossession of Indigenous Australians is essential to reconciliation.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges that non-Aboriginal Australians played a role in the dispossession and suffering of Indigenous communities.
• 😀 The speech mentions various actions that led to the suffering of Indigenous Australians, including land theft, disease, alcohol, and child removal.
• 😀 Recognition is called for regarding the prejudices and ignorance that led to past injustices against Indigenous people.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the resilience and genius of Indigenous Australians who survived over 50,000 years of climate changes and two centuries of abuse.
• 😀 It is emphasized that Indigenous Australians must not be denied their rightful place in modern Australian society.
• 😀 The speech expresses confidence that, with the current spirit, Indigenous Australians will not fail in their pursuit of equality and justice.
• 😀 A hopeful tone is struck, assuring that the struggles of Indigenous Australians will lead to positive change in the coming decade.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the speech?

The primary purpose of the speech is to officially launch the International Year of the World's Indigenous People, recognizing the struggles and resilience of Indigenous Australians, and calling for recognition and reconciliation.

What is the significance of recognizing Indigenous Australians in this speech?

The speech emphasizes the importance of recognizing Indigenous Australians as an integral part of the nation. It stresses that their history, struggles, and contributions are essential to Australia’s identity and humanity.

How does the speaker address the historical injustices against Indigenous Australians?

The speaker acknowledges that the injustices against Indigenous Australians were committed by non-Indigenous Australians, including dispossession of land, discrimination, violence, and cultural destruction.

What role does the speaker attribute to non-Indigenous Australians in the past treatment of Indigenous people?

The speaker attributes the historical wrongdoings to non-Indigenous Australians, acknowledging that they were responsible for the dispossession, violence, and cultural destruction faced by Indigenous communities.

What does the speaker mean by 'the problem starts with us, the non-Aboriginal Australians'?

This statement highlights that the foundation of the issues faced by Indigenous Australians today stems from the actions and attitudes of non-Indigenous Australians throughout history, particularly in relation to colonization and dispossession.

What are some of the wrongs committed against Indigenous Australians mentioned in the speech?

The wrongs mentioned include taking traditional lands, bringing diseases and alcohol, committing murders, removing children from their families, and practicing systemic discrimination and exclusion.

Why does the speaker emphasize the resilience of Indigenous Australians?

The speaker highlights the resilience of Indigenous Australians to show their strength and survival despite 50,000 years of climate and environmental changes, followed by two centuries of dispossession and abuse. This resilience is key to their continued cultural presence.

What does the speaker suggest about the future of Indigenous Australians in modern Australia?

The speaker expresses confidence that Indigenous Australians will succeed in achieving their rightful place in modern Australian society, emphasizing the need for collective recognition and action.

How does the speaker view the relationship between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians?

The speaker suggests that non-Indigenous Australians must recognize and come to terms with their role in past injustices, and work together with Indigenous Australians to move toward a future of reconciliation and mutual respect.

What is the speaker's message regarding the spirit of the event?

The speaker conveys a hopeful message, stating that with the spirit present at the event, there is confidence that the challenges faced by Indigenous Australians will be overcome and that the nation will succeed in reconciliation and acknowledgment.