The name is absent

407

For this sense of pride to be a reality in the present, and
not a backward looking to origins, it must find verification in
achievement of some sort. Moreover, the achievement must be a
result of self-determination.

If the insistence of the Aboriginal people on self-determination
is accepted, then it must also be accepted that the gradual
■r

structuring of Aboriginal identity must be accomplished by the
Aboriginal people themselves.

The question must be asked: What can Australian Aboriginal
identity look like for people in the urban situation, both in
the country urban area and the city urban area?
*

What insights, if any, may be drawn from the construction of
identity at Strelley to throw light on the construction of identity
for people in the detribalized situation?

27.21 Social structures; membership of a group
♦

(i) Strelley

In comparing the urban groups with Strelley, there will again
be reference to Sorokin^,s categories, characterising a group which
has within itself factors of continuity.

It has been shown that Strelley group identity is predicated
on the following components:

The Mob is not a spatial agglomeration - the life of the
group is dependent upon causal-meaningful bonds. Strelley
Community has a cohesive world view, Contexted into the Law.

It has recognised leaders, and provides for continuity of
leadership.

It exercises political autonomy within the group, and jealously
guards its autonomy in its interaction with others.

Adherence to the ideological system (the Law) and to the aims
of the group is a pre-requisite of membership.

There is continual positive theorizing projecting the

ideology of the group and indoctrinating its members.
Education into the Law is given the highest priority.

Within the total framework of the group, high priority

is placed on schooling. The curriculum is integrated into

the all-encompassing ideology of the Law.
Identity is secured by identials:

life history
physical identity

possessions

religious beliefs (adherence to the Law).

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