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’ (ii) Economic autonomy ‘
The need for separate Aboriginal development has been
recognised in the foundation of the National Aboriginal Development
Commission, set up in 1980 to finance small business development.
*
In Port Augusta a small Aboriginal building cooperative
wins contracts on the open market. Such forms of economic
autonomy are necessary to overcome the prejudice that exists,
and has been shown in this study.
A different facet of economic autonomy is found in the capacity
for Aboriginal people to compete for open positions.
This,in turn,will be based on educational achievement.
(iii) Autonomy and social structures
Australian multicultural policy is aimed, (at the level of theory),
at encouraging diversity among cultural groups. Such a policy
presumes social structures which nurture such diversity.
27.4 Locus for the construction of Aboriginal identity
Where can the locus of social structures, nurturing cultural
differences, be found for Aborigines?
The Strelley experience suggests that one such locus may
be found in a community school - that is, an independent school
structured to meet the various needs of the community and over
which the community exercises autonomy.
The establishment of an independent school at Strelley is
a focal point of autonomy.