This post was first published on 7 October 2011. The weapons of ethnocentric assimilationists –
Kon Nichi wa,
Strawmen
Dog whistles
Throwing out babies with bathwaters
Deliberately not seeing the wood for the trees
Oxymorons
Morons
Innuendos
Acronyms
Cliches
Catch-phrases
Mottoes
Double speak
Clap-trap
Newspeak
Non-sequiturs
Non-sense
These are all weapons that the ethnocentric assimilationists are sometimes unconsciously and sometimes unconscionably yet unrelentingly and often systematically using to disempower and further marginalise already marginalised Aboriginal societies.
“Aspects of the Government’s initiatives to remedy situations of indigenous disadvantage … raise concerns. Of particular concern is the Northern Territory Emergency Response, which by the Government’s own account is an extraordinary measure … These measures overtly discriminate against aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatize already stigmatized communities.” James Anaya, Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous people, 27 August 2009.
The Yuendumu Housing Association and later the Yuendumu Community Government Council periodically employed a plumber who would work with one or several Warlpiri ‘off-siders’.
Jupurrula was for many years one such offsider. He did not need a ticket to fix a tap and unblock a sewer. http://youtu.be/0qIOCuBwcTc (One way Ticket to the Blues-Boney M)
I don’t know if Jupurrula can read or write and I suspect even if he was made to try he could never have succeeded in getting formal qualifications, yet he could fix a tap and unblock a sewer and do many more things that he did year after year. Jupurrula moved to Lajamanu years ago.
On my recent trip to the 45th.Anniversary celebrations of the historic Wave Hill walk-off, I ran into Jupurrula in Lajamanu. I introduced him to my Melbourne friend that was travelling with me. With great aplomb Jupurrula declared: “I was the plumber at Yuendumu”. “So are you doing any plumbing these days?” Not one to plumb the depths of despair Jupurrula replied with an infectious grin: “No! Last week I got laid off by the Shire! They’ve got me doing part time yard work”
In typical Warlpiri fashion, he thought this was a big joke http://youtu.be/jop2JdEh_lU (Laugh to keep from crying- Madonna)
“More fools they…If they’re going to be like that… see if I care… they don’t know what they’re missing…. they can bloody well fix their own taps…. ¿A mi que?”
Jupurrula never actually uttered these words but clearly by the way he responded it is what he meant.
If my guess is correct, Jupurrula is now working under the CDEP Scheme, which means he will be put under ‘Income Management’(IM)
But, GOOD NEWS!!! http://youtu.be/uJkrA6DtDgQ (Boney M-Hooray Hooray!) To conform with the “reinstated” Racial Discrimination Act, IM is being made voluntary and being rolled out to other lucky non-Aboriginal Communities!!! Jupurrula will be able to opt out of IM by convincing Centrelink (“Giving you Choices”) that he is capable of responsibly handling his money!
To fix taps and unblock sewers in Lajamanu, it wouldn’t surprise me if they now fly in outside contractors. I suspect that Lajamanu’s Centrelink personnel, who will have the power http://youtu.be/Rl__b6_Rj9s (Power of Love-Laura Branigan) to decide whether Jupurrula is responsible enough to be exempted from IM, and who probably are half his age and earn at least twice as much as him, are incapable of fixing taps and unblocking sewerage pipes, and even if they could wouldn’t be allowed to because they don’t have a ticket. It also wouldn’t surprise me if they get paid an extra allowance to encourage them to be brave enough to work in such a remote and dangerous place. They are, after all, helping to Close the Gap of indigenous disadvantage.
I won’t bother to tell you the stories of ticketless Jampijimpa that used to run the Powerhouse, until he had this power taken off him, or of ticketless Jakamarra that could make a bulldozer dance.
http://youtu.be/kRNdap-ioNM (Patsy Cline-Tennessee Waltz)
Many a Warlpiri has withdrawn from active participation because the kardiya in charge didn’t know what the yapa working for him/her was capable of, or anything much else about him/her. http://youtu.be/L-5LwRinkJ0 (You don’t know me-Ray Charles)
What we’ve got here is failure to communicate…. My hands are tied….
http://youtu.be/ALhwQKTRAgA (Civil War- Guns n’Roses)
Arigato for your attention,
Sayonara, mata uwayi shimazu
Frank-san
