Rabbit Proof Fence

The aboriginal people were never given any respect or rights.  They were treated as though they were invaders in their own lands, animals that can be dismissed and forgotten without regret or consideration. The aboriginal people faced unimaginable trials and painful struggles. In the chapter “the decline of aboriginal society” there are explicated statements of their dehumanization when the colonel white man came into Australia, “the Nyungar people, and indeed the entire Aboriginal population, grew to realize what the arrival of the European settlers meant for them: it was the destruction of their traditional society and the dispossession of their lands,” this of course violates what it means to be a moral equal human being. The treatment of the people is unexcitable but the mindset of the white man towards these people is that they were in fact no more than a simple and inadequate form or man, and nothing more. This destruction of home and all humanity was beyond violation of human rights standards today; man is granted full “right to own property.” When children were being taken from their home or families being forced to relocate because of the arrival of settlers these rights where never granted. Part Aboriginal children were brutally taken from their families and homes, “patrol officers travelled far and wide removing part aboriginal children from their families and transported them hundreds of kilometers down south.” How is this in any way humane? Especially when dealing with children, any fool should be able to recognize how fragile adolescents are, the effect on those victimized still brings fire to their eyes. This of course is in direct violation of both the “freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence” law and the “right to life, liberty, and personal, security” law contracted by the United Nations.

            The United States own history is very similar to that of Australia because our natives faced nearly the same discrimination and torment, even our honored napoleon was a vicious antagonizer to this sort of cruelty. People believed they where “distend” to spread there culture across America and bring light to less civilized cultures, this belief was latter to be known as manifest destiny. The lesser beings that the European settlers often referred to where native Americans, who were feared and seen as savages, when in actuality they were just trying to protect there home from the white invaders. This is very similar to the “civilizing” of aboriginal people in Australia because they two thought of this culture as a lesser entity and being, they believed the only way to truly bring forth peace is to change the children of that culture and integrate them into the other more European lifestyle.

            

The source of this violence was fear, nothing more, nothing less. The relocation of the children was brought on by the fear of the differentiating cultures and lifestyles. The fear that these people who were  less civilized; if not taken and changed in someway there would never be peace. There is no moral justification for fear because it is one of the most horrid traits and emotions of mankind. It leads to violence, especially in this instance. It leads to rash decisions of good people, and it leads to blindness of right and wrong.

Invasive species

IInvasive spices

The cane toad is a physically large; in fact it’s the largest species in its family. Adult toads weigh an average of four pounds. The cane toad’s thick skin can secrete a milky like position that’s harmful and can induces harsh burning and irritation. Te cane toad is originally native to central America and Hawaii, but it was introduced to Australia in 1935, a species brought across sea to help stop the insects that were threatening sugar cane farms.

            The cane toad’s poisonous skin has caused major intrudes in the ecosystems and has killed several species of snake, goannas, and quolls. This unnatural threat to these spices has really hurt Australia’s ecosystems. Several things have been done to try to prevent the Cane Toad from doing any further harm. A method being researched is the introduction of alarm chemicals being placed into cane toad inhabited ponds. This would inhibit the toads from avoiding predators because the alarm pheromone is only released when a cane toad tadpole is attacked to other tadpoles of that spices can flee, if substance is introduced in a large scale than this pheromone, and protection is essentially useless making them more vulnerable.  The government is currently encouraging the public capture of cane toads so they can be frozen or gassed to death so they can be turned in to fertilizer. Some Australians have taken to using the toads as sports; this includes using them as balls, or racing them.

  

                       Buckthorn was first brought to America’s northwestern hemisphere from Europe in the mid-1800s as hedging plants. It was found to be extremely invasive in natural areas harming many other plants around it. It’s no longer being sold and wildlife conservationists are fighting its ever-increasing spread. Buckthorn is very harmful to the surrounding plants because it deprives them of light and nutrients. Threatens forests, wetlands, prairies, and other natural habitats because it serves as a host to other pest, and aids in erosion due to its thick shading of other plants and its impenetrable layer of vegetation. It also lacks natural susceptibility from insects and diseases that would usually curb the growth of natural spices. Ways of prevention include herbicide and simply cutting buckthorn out of natural preserves like Rollins Savannah.

  

   Invasive spices are dangerous they threaten our ecosystems that have already spent thousands of years developing to become balanced. Weather it’s the Cane toad or Buckthorn when an introductory animal is brought into an ecosystem it threatens the life of many spices perhaps causing them to become endangered. This should be a huge problem for all Americans because we must love and take care of this earth for her to ever do the same for us.

                                    

                                    http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/ferals/cane-toads/index.html

                                     

                                    http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html

The Stolen and Venerable

Dear Prime Minister,           

            

            The first aboriginal people came to Australia about 70,000 years ago. The aboriginal people settled and developed into a great culture separated into family groups or clans. They sued land and all of its resources wisely, trading and building. These people were completely isolated until 1788 when the English settlers arrived. The English made the aboriginal people move away from their land, they cut down their forest, introduced harsh diseases like smallpox, and brought foreign animals like sheep. The aboriginal people and the settlers were at war for rights of land and valuable resources. In 1900 traditional clans were still existent in central and northern Australia. There were laws in place to protect the aboriginal people in 1900s, but these laws also brought forth many restrictions to the aboriginal people like whom they could marry, and where and how much land could be owned. Not until 1967 was full rights of citizenship was bestowed on the aboriginal people.

            

            The stolen generation is estimated to be composed of about 100,000 Indigenous children that were taken from their families and raised in homes by white families. This was done to ‘breed out’ the aboriginal part of these children. This was an official government policy that was taken out by churches, and even welfare officials, from 1906 to 1969. This forceful cruelty harshly affected those children who were believed by many to be living better lives. Latter reports found that many institutions and families that the kidnapped children where placed into were cruel and highly abusive. Many were treated like animals that were used and worked as practical slaves. This was highly traumatic to the children because it “broke cultural, spiritual and family ties”. Being taken from there home as a child, highly susceptible and most venerable has an irreversible effect, one that could never be forgotten and ones whose scar will always sting bringing forth new nightmare. But, Prime Minister you already know their history, but do you understand the enormous impact?

            Citizens of the Stolen Generations are more prone to go through depression, poor health and a shorter life than others of their people. Many Aboriginal people that were taken did not find out about their background until later in their life. Disengagement from land and language meant loss of culture, for many there was concern for who they are and to what they belonged to. Many Australians now realize what cruelty these people were placed under and cry for justice, can you not hear them?

             An official apology needs to be made because without any acknowledgment and true regret for the past there can be no progression for the future. Its common curtsy and a sign of true respect to say out loud without regret “I’m sorry.” If you truly recognize the aboriginal people as your equal then please express it with the utmost of heart and moral reverence and apologize for the cruelty these people had to endure.

Thank you for your time,

Yours sincerely, Jane Doe

Fish Are Friends Not Food ;)

Blog 1, Factorial

1.     The Great Barrier Reef is considered the “largest living structure on earth”.

2.     Coral extracts Calcium Carbonate from the ocean to make solid tentacles.

3.     How does red algae impact the structure of a coral? It acts like glue or cement, incrust coral together to form an integrate connection within the reef.

4.     In 1975 the Great Barrier Reef become a national park.

5.     About 33 percent is fully protected from fishing.

6.     Scientists believe the current reef is 20,000 years old. But the ancient reef is believed to be half a million years old.

Blog 2, Marine protection

           

          Coral Bleaching

1.     What is a polyp? What does a polyp need to be considered “coral”?  a polyp is an organism that when provided with the right materials to grow, lands on the ocean floor then multiplies and becomes coral. To grow polyps requires zooxanthellae.

2.     What types of things are coral sensitive to in the ocean?  Its very sensitive to change of temperature of the water.

3.     When does coral bleaching occur? When the water stays warm for to long the zooxanthellae become uncomfortable and leave, causing the polyp to lose its color and ability to grow.

4.     Why do scientists think that coral bleaching is occurring more now than ever?  Pollution and everyday activity that endanger the environment are big factors in the rapid spread of coral bleaching.

5.     List three ways people can reduce their impact to climate change? Turn off the lights in you house and conserve energy, avoid unnecessary car journeys, and of course recycling.

                                               
Climate Change

1.     How many species of: fish, hard coral, soft coral, sea birds, shore birds. The coral reef is home to 15,000 species of fish, 360 species of hard coral, 1/3 of the worlds soft corals, 22 spices of sea birds and 32 spices of shore birds.

2.     Climate change responsible for warming our oceans.

3.     This increased flooding affects the reefs, fish and birds that live there because storms and cyclones break up coral reefs.

4.     List three additional ways (not listed above) that people can reduce climate change:  Reduce the use of polluting materials, buy environmentally safe ideas, and open window instead of turning on air conditioning.

                                                Educating children

1.     List two benefits and two drawbacks to using this kind of media to teach this information. This kind of media educates children about wildlife preservation, and starts them form a young age caring about the environment. Although this kind of demonstration could paint the entire problem as somewhat of a joke. Also misinterpretations of information is really easy and common among young children so this could get in the way of the educational side of these videos.

2.     After watching these videos, use YouTube to find and POST LINKS to videos that you feel would be more beneficial to teach the following types of people and WHY!

Adults- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTE_hQVccps

            It talks about more than just one wonder of Australia, promoting bationalism.

Foreigners- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQ2IwFuwxE

            It educates people properly about the reef, but also inspires people to look for more information about the reef.

Tourist- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQp19u_MH-Q

            Because this video inspires travelers to go and see the reef and al its glory.

During our present time, expression of oneself is done mainly through social networking. Face book, MySpace, twitter, even blogs are used as showcasing of an individuals personality rather than what they where originally intended for, simply communication. When did our world change so much that a profile seems to be more relevant to that individual than his or her actions?

            The article Savor the Trip, Don’t Tweet it is a narration based on the concept of travel now being experience through the screens of technology rather than traveling through the adventure ourselves. When updates on tweeter and face book constantly steam through cyberspace the traveler is missing the adventure, and is simply living his travel as a stories to tell his friends back home, “instead of having the experience you observe yourself having the experience”(Elliott). In this particular case Christopher Elliott is completely right. But in my opinion the reason people stick so closely to technology is because the are grasping to who they believe they are based on that silly little profile. It’s a home away from home; it’s a reminder of what is at home waiting. But that reminder, that safety net is only hurting the individual in the long run. To travel in the fullest extent is to be willing to change, open your mind, and find something out about the world or perhaps even yourself that you never knew about. To truly travel you have to leave your safely net and light a candle in the darkest of rooms and find out what’s there. In my personal opinion I think technology use on our trip should be limited to avoid this epidemic. Phone usage should probably be scheduled and honestly face book can wait.

P.S

             GPS are lame, I’d rather be lost and  feel the great satisfaction when I finally know where I am, just saying.

HIstory, of Struggles and Pride
A.D.: Britain claims Australia. It settles the first of six colonies in 1788

                        “Australia's first inhabitants were dark-skinned nomadic hunters who arrived around 35,000 B.C. Anthropologists believe these Aborigines came from Southeast Asia by crossing a land bridge that existed at the time. Their Stone Age culture remained largely unchanged for thousands of generations, until the coming of European explorers and traders….During the next 30 years, Dutch navigators charted much of the northern and western coastline of what they called New Holland. The Dutch did not colonize Australia, thus in 1770 when the British explorer Captain James Cook landed at Botany Bay, near the site of the present city of Sydney, he claimed the whole of the east coast of Australia for Britain, naming it New South Wales. In 1642, the Dutch navigator, A. J. Tasman, reached New Zealand where Polynesian Maoris were inhabitants. Between 1769 and 1777, Captain James Cook visited the island four times, making several unsuccessful attempts at colonization. Interestingly, among Cook's crew were several Americans from the 13 colonies, and the American connection with Australia did not end there” (A USTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALANDER AMERICANS).

            This is quite interesting when considering Americas own history. The Native Americans where very similar to the Aboriginal and Maori people. The colonies did they same thing to their homeland. Also the origins of the people is surprising; traveling great distances to finally end up in Australia, just as the native Americas are said to come from Europe by crossing the frozen waters of the world to their new land. The technology used must have been so innovative and amazing, Although the colonization of Australia seemed to be more delayed and hesitant then the colonization of America.

           

1840:  The Maori sign the Treaty of Waitangi giving control to the British in exchange for protection and guaranteed Maori possession of their land.   “Australia's population today includes about 210,000 Aboriginal people, many of whom are of mixed white ancestry; approximately a quarter of a million Maori descendants currently reside in New Zealand. In 1840, the New Zealand Company established the first permanent settlement there. A treaty granted the Maoris possession of their land in exchange for their recognition of the sovereignty of the British crown; it was made a separate colony the following year and was granted self-governance ten years later. This did not stop white settlers from battling the Maoris over land” (AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALANDER AMERICANS).

            Even the population of the Maori is similar to American ancestor, although I believe that we have less of a native ancestry today with the natives because of the massacres that took place. The British seemed a little more compelled to work with the natives in this case, rather than our own, its quiet interesting when considering that there cultural and land benefits seemed lass of a pressing issue. This of course merely leaves questions like, would our country be this divided if, infect Britain granted the same right to the Native Americans? How come Australia could not seem to overcome this potent cultural battle even a little to day? Am I native to think our country has overcome such prejudice?  Does Australia have their own version of Pocahontas?

1907: 
The country becomes a dominion, or self-governing community, within the British empire.

1947: 
New Zealand gains independence from Great Britain.

            “The historical development of New Zealand’s foreign affairs is “the history of a colony becoming independent.” [2]  When the British Parliament passed the New Zealand Constitution Act in 1852, New Zealand embarked on a journey of independence from Britain in exercising sovereignty – legislative, judicial, and executive authority – over its domestic affairs. However, ‘imperial interests’, (including foreign relations, external trade, the constitution and ‘native affairs’), were beyond the powers of the New Zealand Parliament. New Zealand did not obtain ‘Dominion status’ until 1907, but this also did not mean full sovereign independence because “the status of the dominions in international affairs is not necessarily identical with dominion status.” [3]  

            “In fact New Zealand did not achieve full independence – in the sense of complete autonomy or sovereign power over its own constitutional arrangements and its foreign affairs – until 1947. The year 2007, while it marks the centenary of New Zealand’s transition from colony to Dominion, also marks 60 years since New Zealand passed the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947 and gained legal and formal independence from Britain in the exercise of its external affairs”(New Zealand Sovereignty: 1857, 1907, 1947, or 1987).

            

This is amazing; I never thought New Zealand was under control for such an extensive amount of time, it’s shocking. In comparison to New Zealand our independence was gained rather quickly. Why is that I wonder? What did New Zealand have that made them valuable to Britain?  I could hardly imagine living in a modern world under control from a country so very far away.

1962:
Aborigines are given the right to vote. Five years later, they're recognized as citizens.

1976:
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act is passed. It is a legal turning point for Aborigines, giving them the right to make claims on their ancestral land in the Northern Territory. Nine years later, Uluru is returned to Aborigines.

2008:The Australian parliament formally apologizes for past wrongs committed against the Aboriginal people.

1924:All Indians declared citizens of U.S (Important Events*
American Indian History)

1934: Wheeler-Howard Act, passed to protect Native Cultures in the United States of America (Important Events*
American Indian History)

            Is it just me or is this kind of creepy how similar these things are? After years of suffrage and horror, a moment comes where the tears are granted there falling wish. I find it a little shameful though that when all is said and done all that’s left is a promise of protection or a simple apology. Really? After every dead and fallen child, parent, sibling, family member, friend? I guess that’s all that can be done, but even now that seems as though many where thrown into the flames with there meaning full deaths where left sundered.

 All

            "Australian history is almost always picturesque; indeed, it is also so curious and strange, that it is itself the chiefest novelty the country has to offer and so it pushes the other novelties into second and third place. It does not read like history, but like the most beautiful lies; and all of a fresh new sort, no mouldy old stale ones. It is full of surprises and adventures, the incongruities, and contradictions, and incredibilities; but they are all true, they all happened." ( Mark Twain, 1897 )

           

            “Yet America is a poem in our eyes; its ample geography dazzles the imagination, and it will not wait long for metres.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The Poet," Essays, Second Series, 1844

           

            “God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia. “Russell Crowe

\          Imperialistic motives caused each of these countries to arise and develope. That egotistical ideal is what gave life to these countries that would honestly be a mere inconvenience to the ever-growing Europe. In a way that superiority idea, caused the birth of the nations but the growth and pride of these nations lies within their tails of their struggles for freedom and equality. There proudly held chins not only of the stealers but that of the natives. Each of those struggles where worth the outcome. These timelines and dates represent something to be proud of, and it’s a grand feeling, to truly be proud of your country.

In order of use

a)     http://www.everyculture.com/multi/A-Br/Australian-and-New-Zealander-Americans.html

b)    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/ParlSupport/ResearchPapers/9/1/8/00PLLawRP07041-New-Zealand-sovereignty-1857-1907-1947-or-1987.htm

c)     http://www.bluecloud.org/43.html

d)    http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/yankaussie.htm

e)     http://www.quotegarden.com/patriotic-usa.html

f)     http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/zealand.html

Stories

            

          
      Man needs closer from ignorance. We as a species have a sort of superiority complex thing, which makes us obnoxious but also cleverly imaginative. We seek understanding, and when that information is not attainable with our current resources, well, than man makes up his information. Witch, from my particular understanding is how creation stories came about. How did we get here? With the lack of Darwinism and or some sign from above (really not trying to sound vindictive and or judgmental here, my apologizes), we attempt to think of an answer to this still bewildering question. So man, through lack of experience and resources create these facts that influence a strongly commutative answer to the question, how we got here. By this point mans thought process is that they obviously were sculpted by some higher magical being, or beings. And put on this earth for their entertainment, duh. But these fantastic stories do infect have a place today because not only to they teach valuable lesions, the fact that we are still able as mankind, still for such conclusions of this wondrous otherworld, openly shows our still remaining innocence and naiveté. We place these legends less now-a-days in creation myths, but more in religion and stories. Whether believed or not these things showcase the values and imagination of man.

            Theses stories strongly illustrate what each culture values. Both cultures seemed to value family and unity. Both of these things are quiet prevalent throughout the stories. The Aborigine stories specifically showcased the power of the “sun mother” suggesting a high respect for child baring women. Also the Aborigine seem to value animals and wild life more than the Maori because they attempt to explain their creation as well as mans, making them, even if only for a moment equal. Although I’m not quite sure why the Aborigines hate platypuses, that’s really strange. Both tales are vividly expresses with potent human emotions, which is an important factor when trying to decodes it s people’s beliefs and culture.

            The Aborigine and Maori stories are very different. The Maori portray a lot more family dynamics than the aborigine. They also distribute power throughout the family, not having one all-powerful god. Although the Maori seems to paint human emotions as a destructive force, which is contradictory to the Aborigine people who see them as basic need and beneficial force. This is quiet fascinating when considering the humanlike qualities of both gods. This is something man struggles with even today; weather to be run by heart or mind, by family or power. Similar to the emotions, values and beliefs in these stories, man struggles with the ever-acting need to understand.

            These myths prove that man has always been destructive to themselves, through their emotions and careless actions. These stories show what man has always valued. Things like this creation stories, even stories today affect man because they contain the majesty and wonder of the world. Since we already establish that man needs knowledge, we can also assume the opposite, man needs wonder, man needs to question things and believe in things that isn’t just the bases of since, what is and isn’t, that’s why even today man have stories, ghosts haunting hotels, fairies in Irish gardens, these show that beyond the known understandable world man needs this curiosity for the impossible.

            Me personally focuses on the scientific creation theory rather than mystical. The big bang theory, evolution, and all that jazz. I’m Christen but not Christen, it’s complicated, but these stories of how the world came to be will always fascinate me. Give me yet another question to explore in the world. I would love to believe in something so grand as god, an all powerful being that loves his children but, well it’s complicated.