rather a sense of a lack of success of Aboriginal youth compared
with the achievements of youth in non-Aboriginal society.
It seemed more profitable to all consulted to redefine the
problem (which began as one of delinquency) in terms of success.
Preliminary discussions were redirected to surveying views of
success in the Aboriginal world and seeking to establish the
components of success rather than concentrating on the delinquent
individuals in the Aboriginal population. '
However, following this interim redefinition of the problem
as one of ‘achieving success’, a basic concern of Aboriginal people
emerged, namely the problem of building an Aboriginal identity.
1.22 Components of ‘success* in the Aboriginal ‘world’
Issues which arose in the interviews showed that, while ‘success’
was defined differently, there were components agreed on by a large
• proportion of those interviewed, namely that:
‘Success* was associated with ’strong-mindedness,.
(The phrase used again and again was, ‘You have to
be strong in the head’). Strong-mindedness in turn was
seen as based in a clear sense of identity, with the
desire to trace a connection, however tenuous, with
tribal origins. ’Strong-mindedness’ incorporated a
generalized notion of being able to cope with life, to
survive, not to give in to despair.
2. ‘Success’ was associated with structures provided by
religious beliefs
tribal identity allied with a religious belief
maintenance of family structures. .
3. A lack of ’success’ was attributed to a lack of
structures, to a situation of anomie often desɪgnated
as ’death'. “They’re dead", "They’re broken people"
were common expressions indicating persons believed
to be in a state of anomie, socialized into non-identity.
4. There was the suggestion by some that success could be
associated with
influential women
influential men
influential teachers
that is, with models offering particular identities.