She’s a Mil

I’m still unemployed and one of the problems with been unemployed is that it is hard to feel very purposeful. I get to the end of each day and I wonder if I have contributed anything even slightly useful to the world. So you start digging. For example, today I cut up two very big pumpkins so that Sue could make pumpkin soup for the women’s retreat and I was like wow what a productive day I had. I have always believed that we are more than what we do. That our identity comes from something beyond what we do but in practice I am finding it hard to live that out.

However, yesterday I did something truly useful. I attended a protest against uranium mining. 23km out of Alice Springs a mining company called Cameco, begun exploring further for uranium. They have done this without consultation with the indigenous people of the land (despite saying that they had) and without the environmental impact statement been completed (not that I think that would be anything but crap, there is nothing environmental about mining). We did invite representatives to come and talk to us further about it and perhaps explain how but they refused (what a suprise). It is not good for the environment, it is not good for the indigenous people and it is not good for Alice Springs (we don’t even need the jobs).

Anyway, it was good to feel like I did one thing in my day that would have an impact. Well I hope so. It would be truly a tragedy if this mine went ahead.

So now after watching many hours of TV and internet and Obama’s acceptance speech over and over I feel ready to comment. Not that it really has anything to do me but well that’s what blogs are for aren’t they.

I am happy, probably not estatic but very happy. There was still too many “God Bless America’s” and too much talk of the importance of “securing the borders” and helping the poor, struggling, American middle class for me to be entirely comfortable (I was much more comfortable with the “sharing the wealth” comment to the now famous Joe the plumber but I probably shouldn’t say that too loud) but I am hopeful for the end of the war, a willingness to work with other nations and better health care for poorer Americans. I am also pleased that there is finally an African-American president. Not that, that is the only reason he got in and that is good but it was moving watching yesterday a little story on a African-American family. Three generation of women told there story and what it meant to them. I cried. It is, if nothing else, very important symbolism bit just for America but for the world.

I also noted that there was no comment on where Christians were voting. Last election there was a big deal made about how conservative Christians got George Bush in based on “moral issues” such as abortion, prayer in schools, gay marriage and fighting islam. I don’t know but perhaps some more American Christians (as I am sure there were some last time) have come to see that these are not the real moral issues rather things like poverty, war and equality are and it would have been nice had that got some coverage. But alas it seems Christianity only gets coverage when Christians are behaving like radical right wing nazis and I think that’s a shame.

I was reading the newspaper this morning. Maybe I am not taking things seriously enough but I am bit over stories about the global economy. Not to mention in an already overly worried and anxious society I find the reporting irresponsible and overly fear provoking than necessary (especially the day after stress less day). I mean you have to love some of these fear and anxiety raising phrases from the smh, “growing international crisis”, “rapidly slowing global economy now a reality”, “in the midst of a financial meltdown consumer confidence plunged”, “financial market turmoil stirred worries about the economy”, “sending a chilling message to retailers as we approach the Christmas season”.

And in the midst of all this I did find a story that did concern me even though it was told as some kind of feel good story. The story was about a group of school children from a remote indigenous commuinty called Wadeye (about 450 kilometres south-west of Darwin) who have just won a trip to Rome via Singapore and London for a dance turned into a film about the Rainbow Serpent.

At this point no worries really. I mean I did think about the effect of culture shock on these kids who according to the school’s co-principal, “have never had to cross a busy street” but in the end not my call and could be a really great experience.

However, in the second last paragraph where most people would have given up reading (including myself if I was not particualrly interested in these issues) it is revealed that “the $120,000 award was sponsored by the multinational mining company Eni”.

However not to worry the school’s co-principal assures us that “it was only a coincidence that Eni is developing the Blacktip Gas pipeline from a gas field in the sea off Wadeye to Darwin”.

Only a coincidence??? While I am not that in to conspiracy theories I am not convinced despite the assurances.

I am reading a book at the moment called “God’s Politics, how the right it got it wrong and the left didn’t get it”. I have to say none of it is that new and it is a little bit repetitive at times but it is interesting enough and I am enjoying it. When you only ever hear Christianity and politics together when it pro Bush it fills me with a little bit of hope (not a heap but a little is all you need) to know that there are prominent American, Christian leaders who are fighting for the core moral issues of poverty and war. In fact it was written in 2004 and the author was already quoting Barak Obama.

So in that spirit congratulations Barak Obama. I have to say I don’t really know much and I was quite excited about the idea of a woman president but from everything I have heard you do seem like a pretty inspiring man really who is interested in change and trying to engage in a more bipartisan style of politics in order to get some things done.

Not a very original title but appropriate for the day. So it’s finally happened. Today the PM of Australia said sorry to the Stolen Generation. It was a moving moment. I have to confess I did cry. When I woke up this morning and looked out the window at the pouring rain and I very nearly stayed in bed but then I had sense that today history was to be made and I wanted to be there. So I got up and went to Martin Place and stood there in the rain with Carlyn and an old friend from Rough Edges who is indigenous and watch after many years of wishing for this moment Kevin Rudd say the word sorry.

I’m excited! Not because (as many have stated) an apology in itself can bring about reconciliation or close the enormous gaps between indigenous and non indigenous people but because without it, we can not even really start. I also thought it was a good apology from Kevin Rudd, respectful and honest. I heard that he spent hours with members of the Stolen Generation just listening to their stories and it showed. I like the fact that we have a PM who listens. It was a shame that this was not mirrored by Brendan Nelson whose speech was completely disrespectful, inappropriate and plain down right rude. However I am not going to let that ruin the moment. I would like to think in 100 years people will remember today. That they will remember the thousands, perhaps millions who gathered around in public and private places to apologise for the horrendous way that we, as a nation, have treated our indigenous people. And they will remember Kevin Rudd’s words and not those of the opposition leader. So I with the PM and others say sorry again to the aboriginal people of Australia and let’s hope that this will be the beginning of some big changes.

It’s not a very creative title I know but appropriate for what I am going to write about and I can not deny I am such a fan of the slogan. It’s the daggiest thing ever but it so works.

I guess it is old news now but I am pleased that Kevin Rudd won the election. While my initial enthusiasm for him dwindled as he became more and more conservative (so much so I didn’t even vote for him in the end) I still think he will be better PM than John Howard and I am holding on to hope for a more just Australia. I am holding out hope for an answer to my election prayer. While I don’t think he will address all the issue on my list I am looking forward to a withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, a slight increase in foreign aid, the ratification of Kyoto, a dropping back of workchoices, some improvements in health and education and a rethink of the NT intervention.

So Tom you can tell anyone who heard your sermon that even though it is quite cloudy today the sun is shining a little brighter for me.

Today in my quiet time I wanted to pray for the election. I find that sort of thing hard though and wasn’t sure what I would say. So I opened the Bible to the Psalms which I am reading at the moment and I happened to be up to psalm 72 which is this:

Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God,
the gift of just rule to the crown prince.
May he judge your people rightly,
be honorable to your meek and lowly.
Let the mountains give exuberant witness;
shape the hills with the contours of right living.
Please stand up for the poor,
help the children of the needy,
come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
Outlast the sun, outlive the moon—
age after age after age.
Be rainfall on cut grass,
earth-refreshing rain showers.
Let righteousness burst into blossom
and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.
Rule from sea to sea,
from the River to the Rim.

Foes will fall on their knees before God,
his enemies lick the dust.
Kings remote and legendary will pay homage,
kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.
All kings will fall down and worship,
and godless nations sign up to serve him,
Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need,
the destitute who have run out of luck.
He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out,
he restores the wretched of the earth.
He frees them from tyranny and torture—
when they bleed, he bleeds;
when they die, he dies.

This is now my prayer for the election.

I have just finished one assessment which I am very pleased about. This particular assessment may have caused me more suffering than any other assessment so it feels good to have it done. Anyway before I start the next one I thought I would do a bit of a post on my experience at Kaltukatjara. Given that the assessment is about the prac I think it may be a good lead in not to mention gives my head a bit of a break.

As mentioned Kaltukatjara, otherwise known as Docker River, is an 8 hour drive from Alice Springs. It was a long drive but a very pituresque one with Uluru and Kata Tjuta on the way. We didn’t stop as I had been there before and felt that unless I was able to fully engage with these places it wasn’t really worth it but it was good to have them part of the journey. It certainly helped me to place myself and get a feel for the land.

When we arrived at Kaltukatjara we went to the coucil offices where we were to be teaching. We spoke to some women who were hanging around there. Helen let them know class was on tommorrow. We drove around to find some of the other women in the class to let them know too. Apparently this works better than timetables. It’s an amazing place. So incredibly beautiful, with it’s red earth and mountains and tress everywhere. However there is also rubbish everywhere and the town is plagued with the many problems that face these communities.

We then went to put our stuff down. I had a lovely little cabin to stay in. Simple but sweet and I could sit on my balocny and watch the sunset over the mountains. It became a special place for me.

The first day of class was pretty daunting. We were teaching the women about the computer. As most people know I am no expert on the computer but most of these women had not even turned one on before so in terms of content I didn’t feel too out of my depth. In every other aspect though I was totally out of my depth. Basically the women would arrive at sometime and then leave at some time and then come back again at some other time and it would go on like that most of the day. They often bought children or pets so as you can imagine it was very differnt to a formal classroom setting that I am used to and I was unsure how to repsond. I went home exhausted and was very grateful for the peace of my balcony.

The next day I at least knew what to expect and when I decided that I wasn’t going to make this look like a normal classroom and that I didn’t really need to either I was able to relax a little. Basically we were there from 9 until 3 and our role was to create a space where they could play around with a computer and that they did. Unlike most other people I have come across with limited computer experience these women had no fear of the machine at all. They would press buttons and click on things and explore. Helen and I would demonstrate diffrent things and offer ideas for things they could do and assist them when needed but basically they just learned what they wanted to. There was plenty of time for chatting and hanging out as well which was great for me as then I too was able to learn. I was suprised at how much they were willing to share with me and they really were so kind to me. Although if I ever made the mistake of actually asking something that would shut down the conversation relatively quickly so I learned not to. The highlight would have to have been when they took us out to the river bed (no water of course) to cook kangaroo tails. They explained what the different parts of the land were and showed me camels footprints and sang songs in Pitjantjara (their language). I managed to pick up a few words but not a lot really. The Australian governement business manager (the person who is in charge of implementing the intervention in this community) came with us as well. I actually truly believe he is a good person who is genuinely trying to build relationship with the people and implement things in the most respectful way possible. I am not saying that this is a good policy and what he is doing should have been done before the whole thing started but given that it is going ahead I am pleased that at least the person on the ground is good.

It was exciting on the last day when they came in and were able to make a poster about themselves even inserting a photo. There certainly seemed to be more response to anything that was visual rather than words. It was also a bit sad to leave. It really was such a short time that of course I was not really able to get to know anyone beyond a superficial level nor even scratch the surface of the many issues facing this community. It really is so very complex and most people here seem to have some very interesting thoughts and ideas and I guess I have some thoughts too. However I am not going to make any comments here as I am afraid I will say something shallow or incorrect or insulting but hopefully we will continue to engage with the issues.

I want to add indigenous issues to that previous list of things I am going to vote on. I am suprised it slipped me in the last post given that is almost all I have thought about for the last week here in the NT in the very thick of the government’s intervention. Not that I feel like I have any answers at all but lots of thought.

So I suppose I should say something on my time. Not sure what. I have had so many challenging, uncomfortable, wonderful experiences and have really learned so much that it is hard to know what to say. But I’ll give it a go.

So I arrived in Alice last Saturday and spent Saturday and Sunday with mum and Keith. Helen and Jon were also here for a night which was fun. We sat around and talked a lot on their marvlous home. We also went down town and looked at Aboriginal art. Which I guess is what you do in the Aboriginal art capital. On Sunday I met Helen, who is the nun who was to be my cooperating teacher. She is certainly an interesting woman and I have to say I will remember her for a very long time.

On Monday I left for Kaltukatjara which is the community that I was to do my prac in. It is about 8 hours from here about 15 mons from WA border. I won’t talk about that now though as mum and Keith have lit a fire and they have visitors who I want to chat with so I may go and do that but I’ll get to Kaltukatjarta tommorrw so stay tuned…..

“Prime Minister John Howard has set November 24 as the election date, saying it will be fought on the economy and who can provide Australia with the right leadership” (from here)

How boring John Howard is. That is certainly not what I will be voting on. What I will be voting on is:

the war
the environment
foreign aid
immigration
the IR laws
education