The name is absent

CHAPTER XVII
THE VIABILITY OF STRELLEY
*
4

17.1 Introduction

Beyond the question of the ’reality* of the Strelley Mob for
its members, is the question of the viability of the Strelley
model, in terms of the prognosis of the ability of the Mob to
maintain itself over and against the white world, without being
subsumed by this alien world. .»

The viability of the group, its ability to perpetuate
itself, will now be examined in terms of its political, cultural
and economic base.

17.2 Political viability

The continued viability of the political structure that
has been developed within the group will depend to a great extent
on-the ability of the group to provide structures within which
traditional modes of leadership are nurtured.

The group has not suffered the fate of reserve Aborigines where
able people left the group and were then defined as non-Aborigines,
leaving only a negative definition of identity for those who remained.
At Strelley, able people do not leave; they are the leaders, and
present a source of positive indoctrination for others.

... 1

In some tradition-oriented situations , leadership patterns,
hierarchical authority patterns, and the protocol which protects
these have been disturbed because of the need ‘to appoint one of
the marmgu without authority, but able to speak English, as
conveyor of the wishes of the group to white authorities.

At Strelley, on all important occasions, the people speak for
themselves - to Debelle, the Law Reform Commissioner , to the teacher-

This occurred at Noonkanbah in the confrontation between the
Aboriginal people and the representatives of the Amax mining company,
in 1980 (see p. 178, note 4). The problem is also reflected in the
confrontation between Miller and Viner at Aurukun, described on p. 121 above.

<<   318   319   320   321   322   323   324   >>

More intriguing information