The craft industry and women in Ernabella

Abstract

One of the most important social and political issues in Australia is the present and future position of Aborigines in the wider Australian community. Although since the 1967 referendum, Aborigines have achieved equality with other Australians in the eyes of the law in all states but Queensland, in practice, they have not achieved equal status. This is despite the current tolerance of cultural diversity, which is greater than at any time in the past. A central problem in the relationship between Aborigines and other Australians is that of economic self-sufficiency: Aborigines are seen to be largely dependent on the public purse. In the context of the present Aboriginal self-determination policy, the most important problem is how Aborigines can attain a standard of living at the same level as other Australians, without losing their cultural identity. Show more