This
sudden exposure to the social evils of the western world proved
destructive to the Aborigines whose cultural aim was to live
in harmony with each other and the land Soon the Aborigines
became foreigners in their own land.
The European settlers assumed supreme authority over everything
and everyone on the land and they treated the Aborigines badly.
Aborigines were unable to access sacred sites or continue hunting
the animals. |
The Aborigines
were the victims of merciless discrimination as their lifestyle
was condemned and ridiculed. Since it was assumed that they
were inferior and 'incapable', missions were established to
keep Aborigines away from society where they were closely
supervised at all times. The missionaries claimed it was to
protect them from the Europeans, however these missions resembled
concentration camps. No unauthorized people could leave or
enter these sites. The missions also had locked hospitals
that were separate to the ones used by the general public.
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