In order to dive deeper into the social side of sustainability, I took a course called FANR4271: People, Planet, Profit. This was a part of a Discover Abroad program that traveled to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Many of our discussions allowed for a deep understanding of the Indigenous cultures that exists on this side of the globe. Namely, we were able to learn about the suffocation and reabsorption of Aboriginal culture in Australia.
It was a shock for me to hear that Australia is more similar to the United States than New Zealand in various regards. In particular, both the U.S. and Australia have a rocky past in terms of treatment of the native culture. However, Australia has surpassed the U.S. in advancing legislation to help repay for the devastating human damage that occurred in the 1900s towards Aboriginals. In 2021, the Australian government allocated $300m for reparations as an apology for “Aborigines Protection Act.” This act was enacted in 1909 in New South Wales and allowed for the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families, strongly reminiscent of the Trail of Tears. Aboriginals were treated as less than human and removed from the land they had lived on long before Europeans had set foot. Australia has a long path ahead in regard to apologizing for this catastrophe. However, it is hopeful that the government is taking steps to undo the damage. Additional steps they are taking include reintroducing Aboriginal names for regions, like Tallawoladah for The Rocks neighborhood in Sydney.
Tallawoladah is the Cadigal word for “The Rocks,” an area in Sydney by the Sydney Opera House.
The United States prides itself on being a melting pot of cultures. However, we have much to learn from Australia in light of respecting the native culture. An aspect of sustainability often overlooked is the well-being of people. Not only does this allow for the wide-spread, sustained happiness, it encourages resilience in light of catastrophe. In this modern world where humanity is on the brink of mass, environmental damage, social well-being has never been more pressing. It is imperative the United States begin protecting the cultures that have existed on this soil for centuries.
It was extremely enlightening for me to understand the events that occurred in Australia and the attempts to repay for what has been done. I will continue to reference the discussions from this course relating to treatment of people and how this relates to sustainability.
As part of the Aborigines Protection Act, Aboriginal children with a lighter skin pigment were removed from their homes and forced into a white family. Those with darker tones would be forced into indentured servitude.