The name is absent

275

It .has been argued above that the theorizing of the Federal
*

Government and some state Governments about self-determination and
self-management, at the policy level, place Aborigines firmly outside
the universe of meaning of mainstream society. In such a view,
nothing is expected of self-determination. The blame for lack of
progress in Aboriginal affairs is firmly placed on the Aborigines
themselves, and conceptually, the Aboriginal ’problem’ is removed.
Derogatory epithets and downgrading views also support this attitude.
Premier Court’s negative statement¹ about the activities of Aborigines
on stations is an example Of nihilation.
*
t

However, since the marrngu wish to develop an alternative
society,such conceptual nihilation for the time being, as long
as it does not lead to the cutting off of funds, may be advantageous
in permitting'further development without white interference.

Certainly the marrngu are not dependent on the approval of
the white world in this construction of their world view. They
are dependent on approval, or toleration, that allows the
continuation of grants.

In order to preserve the cultural coherence of the group, the
Mob resists any thought of sending its young people to Pt. Hedland
to gain technical skills, or to Perth to train as teachers.

For them, the possibility of having an independent school, which
they control,is the lynch-pin for the preservation of their
culture.

If they do not have their school, and their young people are
V

exposed to alien indoctrination in schools administered by the
dominant group in society, their fight to conserve their culture
will be lost.

¹See p. 197.

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