You may have read of an indigenous community in Northern Ontario, Canada, where a staggering 11 people attempted suicide in one weekend; the village has a population of 2000. Another dozen youths were overheard discussing plans to commit suicide and since September, 105, fully 5 per cent, have attempted suicide. As not many succeed, it has to be assumed this is a collective cry for help of a despairing people. Another story of indigenous people overrun by another, more dominant culture.
The same tragedy is taking place all over Australia in Aboriginal communities. I've visited only one near Derby and have to say it was an appalling sight of self-neglect, apathy, drunkenness, filth, pridelessness, ignorance, and surely not a literate person among them.
Drums for garbage were empty but surrounded by garbage, as if a symbol of rejection of the white man's ways. Beds had been dragged outside and that's where many slept, out in the open on mattresses infested with insects and god knows what bacteria and harmful microscopic life. Empty beer cans and bottles were strewn everywhere. The few humans we saw were no better than wary animals, sub-humans at best. It was thought we might be able to start our literacy programme here. I did not think so.
A mate and I were invited on a speaking tour across Canada and we visited two cities where problems with indigenous people are past the grave stage and into a sure decline, sad to say. Locals, virtually all women, told us horror stories of every form of abuse known to mankind inflicted on women and children by men bereft of pride, indeed a will to live.
The few humans we saw were no better than wary animals, sub-humans at best.
