Why are more people identifying as First Nations, who decides, and what’s at stake?
This special episode of Insight will be simulcast on NITV and is hosted by presenter, producer and journalist Karla Grant, a respected voice in the Australian media landscape and a spokesperson for Indigenous affairs.
Insight is Australia’s leading forum for surprising first-person stories and debate at 8.30pm.
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Season 2022, Episode Thirty-Four:
INSIGHT: Indigenous Identity airs Tuesday, October 18 at 8:30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
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40 billion dollars the aboriginal corporation has.. wtf! Why are they not using that money to better the lives of aboriginal people and getting them a better life. I think I might claim to be aboriginal too! After all I was born here and if people can pick there gender and what not then why not? Put my hand out too
A delicate and serious issue on Insight last night, bravely canvassed by Karla and the guests.
In this age of identity politics, it must be tempting for some to identify as aboriginal, when the connection is tenuous at best.
The issue of those with a distant blood connection but no cultural connection is fraught.
I often sit at the cafe at the Abbotsford convent watching the white (presumably well paid) people entering and exiting the large building housing the Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council and wonder.
I once met with the archeologist at that centre to report a new midden I had found on Phillip Island, but there was no interest and no report taken because “yes they are Kulin, but not Wurundjeri”.
Forty billion dollars, wow.
I have identified later in life, recently after searching for years and after my father and his siblings were searching for years. We come from the Kulin Nations, Dja Dja Warrung on my great grandfathers side. What seemed missing as part of this discussion is the context of the time, why stories and identity were hidden and how now, with ease of access to information, DNA tests etc it’s possibly giving people more access, confidence etc to find the answers. For me, my father and sister It’s something we have always felt and we want to connect with. It’s a strong bond that has been calling us.there is so much fear about taking what’s not mine, about identifying and not growing up in culture and lore, of seeming like I want to scam the system. I hope to be able to give, to learn and I know that I carry privilege as a whiter shade of black, that I need to keep de colonising my thinking and ways.
It would be nice if people posted under their full name. Then comments could be taken more seriously.
And social media might serve the public debate better.