Spartan Spirit - Best for the West - Episode 10: Indigenous Societies and ‘The Voice’

28 Sept

National power refers to a nation’s ability to achieve its goals. Societal elements are essential components of national power, such as health, education, rights and economics, in other words, a population’s standard of living. Western nations generally have policies that ensure their citizens have access to these attributes of national power. Yet, some of the major western nations have inequitable standards of living within their own borders. This episode analyses the situation of indigenous populations in the US, Canada and Australia.

The episode also focuses on Australia’s referendum (Oct 23) about amending their constitution to introduce, and this is a quote from the proposed amendment: “a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice” . Or, “the voice” for short. This amendment serves two purposes: Firstly, it is formal recognition of Aboriginals in the Australian constitution, and secondly, it is a body that quote, “may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Resources:

https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.abe4943

Post inflates Indigenous land ownership figure – Australian Associated Press (aap.com.au) https://www.statista.com/chart/19674/indigenous-life-expectancy-by-gender/

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/indigenous-income-and-finance

American Indian/Alaska Native - The Office of Minority Health (hhs.gov)

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201920/IndigenousAffairs

https://library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/indigenous/treaty

Constitution Act, 1982 Section 35 (ubc.ca)

“First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders: Strengthening Relationships and Closing the Gap”

2023 ANU Reconciliation Lecture: Full Speech by Tom Calma - ANU ):

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act of 1989:

Microsoft Word - behrendtAATSICNov05.doc (bsl.org.au)