Tim,

What would matter? What would be good?

Seats in Congress as New Zealand has done for Maori people?

Financial compensation via reparations?

A new treaty that the US actually abides by? (The New Zealand Treaty of Waitangi comes to mind.)

Return of lands? (As Canada has done for some Native peoples in the Northern region.)

A national apology along the lines of Rudd and the State of Virginia?

You deserve so much more than just an apology.

I feel as though much of the integrity that remains in America, is directly attributable to our ingenious heroes, whose stout courage and dedication of their own inalienable rights and truth stands as a poignant reminder to other Americans who don't seem to care about their own rights and morality.

Namaste … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Mahatma Gandhi … … … … … … … … … …
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« There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed »
« We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself » — ML King

Let's not forget the Councils on Truth and Reconciliation that helped to re-web the dual races cohabiting in South Africa. It has created a beginning. As we know, any good initiative BEGINS with a single step. The very act of sitting across the table from the one who trespassed against you introduces to this world so bent on vengeance a higher prospect of justice. This is the true Christ-ideal of "turn the other cheek," for until the CYCLE of vengeance is stopped, we can pretty much count on wars among tribes. Those who elect reconciliation over harsher forms of raw justice elevate their own spiritual consciousness and according to the theory of karma, improve their lot for lifetimes to come. It's a worthwhile investment especially when the old alternatives are considered.

With all the newly conquered and soon to be conquered territory in the Middle East, maybe all the whiteyes could be persuaded to move to that 'New Frontier'. If displacing Palestinians is good enough for the new 'master race', what's a few Arabs and Persians more or less.

We would certainly need an overflowing library for all the apologies we will never countenance;

Indians, Blacks, Chinese, Japanese, Moros, Hondurans, Panamanians.........and the list goes on.....Iraqis, Pakistanis, Afghans, etc.

When you have been raped and robbed an apology is not enough, the rapîst must face punishment and, if possible, provide compensation. The US must pay for what it did. PAY, NOT TALK. These apologies are worthless and a scam.

As an Australian (who lives in remote Australia and works part time in a remote Aboriginal community school) I would like to add a bit more information to the above article and to perhaps correct a few misconceptions....

Of course saying "sorry" and then doing nothing is not enough and is a pretty meaningless and empty gesture (particularly if it is not genuine). However, this is not what Kevin Rudd has done.

For a start, Rudd's apology appeared heartfelt and genuine, and by the reactions of the thousands of indigenous people who filled the public gallery and Great Hall in Parliament and camped out on the lawns (tears, nods, applause and finally a standing ovation) I would say that most of them felt that it was more than an empty gesture as well.

Secondly, Rudd has not ruled out compensation as the author suggests. I have just re-read the text of his apology and nowhere does he either rule out compensation or even suggest that it may not be sought. In fact, in every interview I have heard, he has stated that any person who has been wronged as a result of government policy has always had the right to seek compensation - an apology does not change that in any way. In addition, compensation funds have already been established on a State level in several Australian states. Possibly inadequate and there are better ways of addressing the compensation issue, but it is certainly not ruled out.

Thirdly, Rudd has himself said that symbolism alone is not enough. To quote from his apology speech -

"Australians are a passionate lot. We are also a very practical lot. For us, symbolism is important but, unless the great symbolism of reconciliation is accompanied by an even greater substance, it is little more than a clanging gong.

It is not sentiment that makes history; it is our actions that make history.....

But the core of this partnership for the future is to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians on life expectancy, educational achievement and employment opportunities.

This new partnership on closing the gap will set concrete targets for the future: within a decade to halve the widening gap in literacy, numeracy and employment outcomes and opportunities for indigenous Australians, within a decade to halve the appalling gap in infant mortality rates between indigenous and non-indigenous children and, within a generation, to close the equally appalling 17-year life gap between indigenous and non-indigenous in overall life expectancy."

Using the expression "Close the Gap" is meaningful in Australia because that is the name of a program proposed by the Australian Medical Association in consultation with Oxfam, indigenous communities and other groups which proposed concrete, costed actions which would address the health and life expectancy issues among indigenous people. The former government refused to fund this project and instead sent the troops into Aboriginal communities. Rudd's use of the term suggests that he is more responsive to implementing this plan which was developed through consultation with indigenous people and those who work directly with them.

Finally, to show he was really genuine about getting things done, he invited the leader of the opposition to form a joint policy commission with the Government initially to develop a bipartisan housing strategy for remote indigenous communities. What he actually said was

"I therefore propose a joint policy commission, to be led by the Leader of the Opposition and me, with a mandate to develop and implement, to begin with, an effective housing strategy for remote communities over the next five years."

He went on to state that if this works the commission will move on to other indigenous policy issues - the basic idea being to stop indigenous issues being a political football and actually getting both sides of parliament to work together to find workable solutions.

I have never understood why some people are so resistant to an apology as if it is an "either/or" - you either apologise OR you do something about indigenous disadvantage. Why can't it be both???? And why can't we celebrate the move (finally and very belatedly) in the right direction and embrace the strong feelings of hope and the mood for change that were palpable in Australia among both the white and indigenous communities on Feb 13th. An apology is an important symbol which indigenous people themselves were demanding, and by the looks on their faces were very moved to receive. But as the Australian activist group Get Up wrote in candles on the lawns of Parliament House the night before the apology (see the Get Up website for a picture)

"SORRY, THE FIRST STEP"

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples took twenty five years to negotiate, construct, and pass. Only a few nations have not signed it including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In effect it is a magnificent success.

An apology is a good first step. The apology would perhaps end the media blackout of Indian issues of importance by focusing on American Indigenous Peoples. Indian music and documentary movies are emerging in the American subculture. Change is happening. Tim Giago is a catalyst. Positive thoughts and patience are showing results.

I do feel a deep sadness for Tim's people and do somewhat understand his frustration. Many of the Lakota are so impoverished that they have been reduced to burning their
clothes to keep warm this winter. Wood is in short supply.
So Tim's sense of urgency is well placed and understandable.

I thought those Lakota people seceded from the US, never hear anymore about it. I wonder what is happening. Does anyone out there know?

All this talk of reparations is fueled by misplaced anger and a desire to be compensated for the misery someone else suffered at the hands of people long dead and buried; in a time most didn't know existed and of which their ancestors did not participate. Few people in the US come from money or priviledge; most of what the vast majority of people have in the country has come from hard work and more hard work and occasionally a bit of luck. My understanding of Australia is that many came there as part of a penal colony for punishment, as indentured servents or has the homeless being rounded up and shipped out away from England.

I, myself, know there were no slaves in any branch of my family as my mother's family came to the US just immediately before the start of WWI; my father's family is part Native American and German and to put it bluntly, "dirt poor" and not at all educated; and most were lucky to have a pot to pee in. WE have to pay for that which we had no part, no say and no benefit NOW? That's theft of my resources for another person; I will not work willingly or unwilling to support the lazy and the shiftless no matter where they came from or under any circumstance.

I, consider my self to be white for the most part as that is how I was raised. I went to Catholic parochial school and public high school. I got a loan and worked my way their college in the early 70's; the university financial assistance officier told me the only thing really available for an above average white student is a loan unless you were really good at men's sports; I had so many former black high school chums who went to college on grants they didn't have to pay back and most didn't even graduate. It would have been so nice to have started out without all that debt, but it was repaid in 8 years! My employer helped with the graduate work.

All I have ever done is work to make ends meet and plan for a better future. No one gave me anything I didn't earn and I don't know anyone who has gotten much in life without a great effort being put forth. We all come from circumstances not of our choosing or our control - live with it and find a better way to improve your life. Work for what you want and stop expecting an handout because someone in your family over 150-300 years ago was "wronged" in someway. They are probably with God and definitely in a better place.

The long dead and buried tripe is regularly trotted out to say that it is not the current generations fault so why should we suffer.

In Australia, the people who use this excuse ignore the fact that the policy of removing aboriginal children was still in force up to 1970.

Some of us were already alive then!

Peace Please, your post is extraordinarily well-informed and helpful.

(peace please February 19th, 2008 8:50 pm)

Thanks so much for what you have written. My mother was born and raised in Australia and I am so happy for this recent step towards healing and reconciliation with the indigenous Australians. Rudd's sincerity matters a lot to me, and apparently to many who witnessed it first hand. If only we could do the same as Rudd and the State of Virginia have done regarding the first step of a sincere apology towards the Indians and the people from Africa the US enslaved.

I was in Canberra for the 2000 Olympics, and was overcome with the emotion of what most in the West never saw on their abbreviated news: there was a fantastic paradigm shift with the entry of the torch bearer Cathy Freeman into the stadium, for the grand opening ceremony.

Beyond the mere association of athletics and national pride, which is very understandable, the acknowledgment of the black aboriginal runner (who later won the gold in the 400 m) was literally and figuratively earth shaking.

The Australians chose this opening event event and worldwide recognition of a long delayed and heart-rendering healing, that I felt tangibly occurred in that ceremony. Today, the memory is so strong that it brings back tears to my eyes to recall the sense of empowerment and hope that sprang forth - I was - and likely 98% of all Australians were as well, aligned and connected together in that very special moment.

Something magical, powerful, and beyond words took place - and the world has been a different place for me since then.

God Bless Australia and all of her peoples, and their commitment to heal deep wounds for creating such an unprecedentedly transformative opportunity.

Americans could learn much from what happened that day, as our own unhealed {racist} wounds continue to demand their own healing.

Namaste … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Mahatma Gandhi … … … … … … … … … …
« We must be the change we wish to see in the world »
« There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed »
« We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself » — ML King