The following is an article about “shared responsibility agreement” (SRA) toolkits, a scheme that encourages Indigneous Communities in Australia to hire various individuals to act on their behalf. Following is a discussion from an Australian Mailing list about the article.
The Australian, by Patricia Karvelas — INDIGENOUS communities are being advised to use professional “brokers” and threaten going to the media when negotiating shared responsibility
agreements which require them to sign behavioural contracts in exchange for funds.
A new toolkit urges indigenous communities to be “more political” and limit the power of governments through threatening to make the negotiations public.
“For example, government departments can be exposed as negotiating essential services through SRAs,” the toolkit says. The toolkit was put together by Ruth McCausland from the University of Technology Sydney’s Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, and who has released a report that found the new approach to indigenous affairs lacked proper planning and evaluation of outcomes.
The toolkit says Aboriginal communities should use agents or brokers in order to get a better deal. “Indigenous communities should consider using agents, people from other communities or experts to negotiate on their behalf,” it says.
“This may have many advantages, including access to skills and experience, greater objectivity and lesser likelihood of breaching negotiating limits.
Use of an experienced and impartial mediator could also address power imbalances”. The toolkit says indigenous communities should also conduct “power audits” to understand their strengths and weaknesses and suggests creating a list of “negotiations experts” to provide support before and during negotiations. While acknowledging that “some of these tactics are inherently negative”, the paper says the tactics can be useful if used appropriately.
A checklist is also in the kit to ensure the deals are fair, asking questions such as whether the SRA requires “people to sign away their citizenship entitlements?” Another asks: “Does the SRA seem to be treating indigenous people differently to other Australians?” Ms McCausland said the toolkit aimed to provide indigenous communities with independent information and advice about negotiating SRAs.
There have been 30 agreements signed in Western Australia, 27 in NSW, 24 in the Northern Territory, 11 in Queensland and seven in South Australia.
No SRAs have been signed in the ACT and only one each in Tasmania and Victoria.
DISCUSSION
The following is some commentary regarding thie article which I am apart of. I have ommitted the names of the authors out of respect for their privacy.
1. Great Idea [name removed], but many Aboriginal Aboriginal people in remote communites along with country communities such as the Great Southern Region of WA are illiterate and can be coerced into signing deals believing them to be something they are not, not by Government officials but by Aboriginal Agents or Offices which are not working in the best interests of the very people they are elected by, nor are they investigated by the government when valid complaints are made against them.
Marribank Family Centre is the former Carrylup River Aboriginal Reserve approximately 30 klms north west of katanning belonging to the shire of Woodanilling, this land was returned to the traditional owners some time ago, the traditional owners are not permitted to reside on this reserve unless chosen to by an Aboriginal land agent in Albany (Southern Aboriginal Council) many of the elders who are still living are not consulted in relation to the running of or maintanence of nor the future of this reserve.
I have on behalf of the elders contacted the Premier of WA and the Koorie Mail in relation to the complaints the elders have made, they do not care for the elders, what future do we have if our elders are not consulted nor listened to when they who have paved the way of our freedom of today are not heard any longer, the government of today abolished ATSIC yet allows small Aboriginal Community Agents to govern and maintain Aboriginal Agents without auditing books as well as viewing the work supposedly done with the money awarded to the care, maintanence and repair of the old reserves.
Agents can be as corrupt as the government in relation Aboriginal Affairs, we the Aboriginal people of this country are not without intelligence, many are illiterate yet have a life time of learning and teaching, many have academic degrees yet have not lived nor learnt, many are brainwashed into believing the old saying “she’ll be right mate” before anyone makes suggestions or gets ideas for the Aboriginal people of this land go to places like ‘Mulan’ Yagga Yagga’ Curanya’ Wiluna and many other outback towns of Western Australia where language and Culture is still alive, come to the Great Southern Communites of WA see the devestation of places like Marribank and Wandering mission and talk to the old people who lived there and those who were employed to look after these places and were removed for asking questions and seeking the aid of the government and other agents.
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2. I agree that this is a good idea, but it is much more important for indigenous People to become truely empowered… perhaps through uniting and forming a Sovereign Government. I say that especially because that is precisely what all Indigneous People in the world are needing to do. But by government I do not mean something that fits nicely in the pocket of the Commonwealth, or something that is based on any colonial template, but rather something that meets our needs and respects our own Customs and Traditions.
As far as representation goes for negotiating these shared responsibility agreements; It is not a good idea to use agents, I mean, this is not about getting a good business deal — this is about doing what’s in our own best interests, what our own people need regarding justice, peace, etc., so the only reperesentation the Indigenous of Australia should have are those people from their own communities that they know, trust, and whom will ‘only’ act on their behalf.
I say this especially because, even if using agents would reduce the effect of the slave-massa relationship which most of us have been conditioned to role-play, the simple truth is govies are going to continue to infantilize the indigenous, and the national assimilation program is still going to be in full force… so while the indigneous continue struggling to adapt and conform and submit to these foreign systems/ways, the other side sitting comfortably like they are watching television — the simple, real needs of the people will continue to go un-addressed, until one day the Commonwealth gets what it wants, which is for the Indigenous to be managed and silent within townships and municipalities of Australia…. For the Indigenous to pay taxes, buy puppy dogs, get piss drunk, and project all their regrets and pain into ‘criminal acts’ to further justify and validate this very old religious truth that heathens are unfit to live because they can’t even become civilized…
I mean this is what assimilation is… an arm of genocide… it is the act of doing to ourselves and others what was first done to us… and the Parents will continue on like they are watching television.
As far as these SRA’s goes, which are really treaties (under a different name) well, it goes without saying that an agreement, beit a treaty or any ‘legal document’ cannot really be legal if it is agreed to under false pretense, misconceptions, or by “applied confidence” (intimidation, bribery, etc.).
And even if it is all understood by the indigenous, what good is it if it results in us loosing a bit of oursevles, or forces us to close our eyes to what’s been done to our people, or causes a separation between us and our homes…
This is why I suggest that they, like all other indigenous People create their own sovereign Govenrments… because true empowerment means we have to unite and do for ourselves, our children, history, the land, all that is sacred what there is no other way to do. Being empowered here also means doing what’s best (our part) towards those who who would harm us because we have done nothing wrong…. among many things, that entails being ourselves and providing that as an example to them because they have no idea what what any of it really means… that’s why they build these elaborate and absurd systems which they are the center of, and everything in the world has to bend and break to fit into this system of theirs’, regardless of the consequences, or of the fact that it hollows them out as people… Do any of us really want to get lost in that, or become subjects of it? To be no different?
If we proceed on the path we are all presently being forced and tricked into walking, then this is what will become of us.
Lastly, I just want to say that We are the people of the land, we have all the knowledge we need! There is no real need for complex programs, strageties, or initiatives that need money which none of us really even have.
There is only a need for us to learn, remember, heal, and move forward in a mutually beneficial way.
I say that especially because the Indigneous in AU are not alone in their struggles. They may find themselves slightly isolated by space, but all indigenous everywhere are having the same problems… many are using different approaches to the same struggles but the results are always the same… and so we are All presently learning the exact same lesson and that lesson is our role in the whole of things.
The indigenous in North America for instance are trying to bring justice and correction and peace by going to the colonial courts; and many are working to claim their sovereingty by asking for the govies to validate
it… but the only true way sovereingty can be had is by living in a sovereign Way.
The Zapatista in Chiapis, Mexico for example are doing this (living in a sovereign way) and they’ve managed to keep peace while taking this massive step that few others have yet to… the steps they are taking are the same ones we are all going to have to walk, but in our own way.
I think it is also reasonable for us all to consider something much larger, in light of the sheer number of problems and conflicts around us, I mean just think about the WTO/IMF/World Bank… even though these illegal entities do not have much of a direct impact on Indigenous (or any) People in ‘First World’ Countries, they are ripping apart many other Peoples… and though there are many millions trying to stop them: nothing’s working. There needs to be something else.
In my heart of hearts I see there is a need for all of us to combine our efforts… and then do what we all need done ourselves. That is not say use violence or shed any blood, because there is no need for such acts, and we all know Colonial Agents are Always looking for a chance to project their own hate, fear, and regrets on anyone/something… so we don’t give them the reason. We walk peacefully.
It is amidst this that we must atleast consider creating entities like ‘Sovereign Governments’ and possibly an InterContinental Council of Sovereign People… because the goal here is to find common ground, and for all of us to live there.
There can be no common ground when we settle for less only for more to be taken from us, nor when we are forced to conform and adapt to ways not our own.
The only way there can be true common ground is if we can get to where we can all look at each other in equal eyes; what I suggest here is one of very few ways for us to create that common ground.
Well, that’s all I wanted to say Thanks. -Ahni
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3. I understand your reluctance toward ‘brokers’ or ‘agents’ but there is nothing to say that the brokers or agents can’t be indigenous. Governments are sneaky and adept at getting their own way while letting the other side believe they are giving in on everything. Having indigenous brokers who speak for the the communities, with understanding of Customs and Laws but wise in the underhanded ways of the governments would go a long way toward a sovereign stance for indigenous people in negotiations. It is not a perfect situation but it would be better than the way it operates now.
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4. [name omitted], read the first statement, Aboriginal Agents are just agents showing no concern for the community or communites they are employed by, corruption is widespread in any department that manages money for someone or bodies that have little or no conception on the control others play in the handling an affair on their behalf.
A contract must be signed, contracts can be binding, explain some of these details to people who know little of contractual law or any other law but what they have had for thousands of years or some which have been imopsed on them without knowledge of an invasion or consultation.
Many Aboriginal communites accross Australia still have traditional lwa and language, they have had little time to process by any government agent or body as they were unknown to any other man but their own community untill 50yrs ago, yes their are still some of us Aboriginal your assimilation process has not reached.
I agree with the previous writer let us in our own communites govern ourselves according to our culture and law, let us have soveriegnty on ourselves and maybe the non indigenous communities could learn some lessons.
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5. [name ommitted] , it’s not so much reluctance, as that the idea of agents hurts my stomach. The reason is, because I live in Canada. Here there is an Indigenous groups called AFN (Assembly of First Nations). It is supposed to be a Representation-based group for Indigenous Peoples in Canada… between 1660-1840 it was (because it was actually a Native Government) but later it was dissolved, and in the 1970’s it became the AFN. Now the AFN is, well, it’s exactly like the UN. The United Nations is a members-only club for States; the AFN a members-only club for the Chiefs of the Many Nations here. Oddly enough though, the Chiefs call themselves CEO’s, like they are the heads of a Corporation.
Over many years now, the Department of Indian Affairs have ’strategically installed’ Indian Agents all over the place, particuarly into the Leadership of the many Nations here. And these Agents are adept at using the tactics you speak of that the governments employ so regularly.
One of the Constant themes here is the beaurocratic approach. This is all the Head of the AFN talks about, ‘the importance of taking the beuarocratic approach’… meanwhile nothing that actually benefits the People happens.
For instance, there is a long, deep-seated history of government atrocities on this land (like on yours). Residential schools for example has taken over 50,000 children (I have more info on this if anyone wants) and the only solution to this being offered, and considered by the AFN is fiduciary compensation - the big bucks.
It goes without saying that the People would rather want Real Justice towards this, but that can’t happen through the beaurocratic approach. And the AFN will never puruse Justice because they are an unspoken department of the Government. Also, they would not get their share of the money for residential schools… I know, that’s cold, but it’s true.
And the agents themselves… well the Indigenous here are in much the same position as those there… they are not at all aware of ‘the game,’ or anything other than their traditions and their communities. So when an agent walks in, the people hearing many good words, don’t know any better, so they OK. And if they don’t agree, then things happen… or the conditions on reserve just get worse (though they are either way)
I understand what you’re saying [name ommitted], but the reverse is true too: there is nothing to say the agents won’t be non-indigenous, but I don’t think it really matters either way (indigenous or non-indigenous), what matters is the intent and agenda of the agent… Plus, it is way beyond easy to ‘install agents’ that will strategically work to benefit the government, while making it look like the Indigenous are getting theirs’ too! Way too easy.
The Reluctance I have is in taking the beaurocratic routing. I mean, all this here is about business, and when someone gets involved in business, they cease being just men or just women… they become business men or business women. People can still do good things in business though, but we need to really weigh the pros and cons of all this:
When it’s come to politics in the past, generally indigenous people have taken the ‘face value’ approach. Yes means yes. one thosand means one thousand. But Western Politics has another layer underneath the surface, and this layer always leans in favour of one side. The game of Politics is for both sides to have their own layer lean in their favour, without taking away from the others’… But then there is a third layer, that is the People, the land, etc. who have no real say in anything. They are forced to lean whenever the govies want them too.
In this scenario, no matter what the people do, we are still going to be on that sub-sub layer - subjects of the choices and interests of governments.
Anyways, most of us see past the surface now; and so now the routing we excercise is a matter of “what do we settle for?” Do we play the game, take what we can get, hope it all works out? Use the the schemes and tactics of those who used them against us first (assimilation behaviour)? Or Do we seek other options? Refuse to settle for less? And insist on taking this to the level that best serves all of us?
I think we would all rather do that… This is exactly why I mentioned ‘common ground’ in my previous writing. If we’re going to take the beaurocratic, business-oriented, “let’s get the best deal possible” approach.. it’s all going to be on their terms, and on their grounds…
My suggestion is literally one of the three Realistic Alternatives to this. But it is the only one that serves us.
Tjurrara Ahniwanika
