peter mumme
Stories - introduction to country
kata djuta - central australia
In just 3 of my (74yo) lifetimes, we have ruined much of our once ‘beautiful park’ (the indigenous description of this continent) and, unbelievably, are increasing the rate at which we do so
If there are actions and ideas that so defy logic, analysis and direct experience .. then here they are .. we are deliberately destroying our earth home
We cannot - won’t ? - change ..
Simply because of our entrenched ideas of ‘profit’ and of maintaining our ‘self-important’ mindsets, it seems that
we would ‘rather sink/drown before giving up any (perceived) privilege’
We have a national governmental constitution here in Australia, seen by some as a 'rule book' by which and thru' which much destruction is (somehow) justified as being ok business; we are currently trying to consider what words to add to this document so as to 'defray' some of its hurt to the indigenous peoples dispossessed 230 years ago - and also some of its continuing inappropriateness
Background
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the land and seas around the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years. They are the First Peoples.
The rich languages, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples represent the world’s oldest continuous cultural heritage. This unique legacy is recognised internationally and is one of the things that sets Australia apart from the rest of the world.
Those lands and waters were colonised by Europeans, who took them without treaty or consent, and Australia’s Constitution, our most important legal document, contains no acknowledgement of the First Peoples of Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were not given a voice in the convention debates of the 1890s, which led to the drafting of the Constitution in 1901, and few were able to vote for it.
Is the time right ?
As we seem to be reduced to merely fiddling around the edges - of both this odd old document and any hope of there being any real institutional change, perhaps it is time to re-consider why and how we might engage in an extensive and inclusive process of trying to create (way) more appropriate systems of governance within australia
Can wisdom and experience become a base for developing broader 'dynamic' views of life ?
what is really 'of benefit' and 'not of benefit' to the long term well being of all peoples and planet ?
simple constitutions ? treaties ? 'rights' ? social paradigms ?
re-imagining - for ourselves - what knowledge and 'governance' systems ought re-present ?
I would like (to try) to assist in the explaining in white fella terms what is happening here .. as clearly as I can;
the changes we are all going thru' now - and are affecting nearly everyone and everything on our planet - seem to be indicative of our (inevitable?) moving away from narrow-view utilitarian life(style) into more 'spiritual' based inclusive life .. a view (paradigm) that is both needed and an imperative
There appears to be a developing need for (such as) 'old view' experiential wisdom-life to become better recognised for the (beautiful) human life/earth paradigm that it truly is .. and our realising its' continued appropriateness and re-imagining it in a new australia-gondwana world view
Go to new 'voice to parliament'
I
Uluru