Australian Aboriginal Marginalisation in Policy Making and Education: a function of colonialism and its aftermath

Abstract

This project is an exploration of factors which have historically contributed to Aboriginal marginalisation in Australian society. These factors perpetuate the contemporary position of an underclass occupied today by Aboriginal people. During my years of teaching I observed at first hand the disproportionate lack of engagement with the education system by Aboriginal students. As a result, I started exploring both the theoretical frameworks which attempted to explain the situation and the various policies related to methods of education delivery. This led to looking at the underlying social structures which contribute to the situation. Colonialism and associated dispossession are identified as the main contributors to historical and contemporary marginalisation of Aboriginal people in Australia. Inherent in colonialism were scientific racism, institutional racism, structural violence and cultural violence. These remain embedded in the fabric of Australian society and continue to influence not only the daily lives, but also the long term life chances of Aboriginal people. The impact of these factors on Aboriginal participation in policy formulation and education is examined within a critical theory framework. Discussion of education includes both policy related to Aboriginal education in general and issues related to higher education participation by Aboriginal people. Literature and information from interviews and ongoing email correspondence with participants informs the discussion. Methodology suited to critical theory proposed by Smith (1999: 149-150) involves reading, writing and representing from an Aboriginal perspective, and was used in this research. Cultural Safety, a concept developed in New Zealand in relation to health service delivery, offers a different approach to improving service delivery to Aboriginal Australians. The practice of Cultural Safety can reduce the power imbalances created by colonialism and its application to Aboriginal education is a major focus of this portfolio.