Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellySegregation – separation and control of Aboriginal peopleRegardless of intent, from the 1860s to 1950s Government policies led toAboriginal peoples being segregated from mainstream society across Australia.Within South Australia, Aboriginal people were sent to missions, children’s homesor fringe settlements outside of towns and homesteads, and their lives were highlyregulated by colonial authorities. Many Aboriginal people were forcibly removedfrom their home country and sent to missions across the state (Brodie & Gale 2002;Mattingley & Hampton 1998). Forcing differing tribal and cultural groups to livealongside each other sometimes led to conflict and/or culturally unsafe situations.Aboriginal people were given very few rights or freedom of movement. They hadto seek permission to enter or leave a mission, and all their movements, finances,homes, supplies and marriages controlled by the mission managers, police andgovernment officials (Mattingley & Hampton 1998). A total of 25 missions wereestablished across South Australia (Mattingley & Hampton 1998).In 1913 the Adelaide ‘Protector of the Aboriginals’ described missions as providinga useful solution to ‘Aboriginal problems’. He wroteThe Aborigines who used to infest the city and suburbs have all been removed andplaced on Point McLeay, where they are kept and provided for under the Act. Theyare quite happy there and behave themselves well (Chief Protector of Aboriginals1913).He further advised the Supervisor at Point McLeay;The Aborigines (both male and female) who were removed to Point McLeayon 31 January are not allowed to leave the Reserve without a permit fromyou…They are liable to six months imprisonment should they go away withouta permit which must not be for more than a fortnight nor extend to any townor township (in Mattingley & Hampton 1998, p. 116).This report clearly shows the lack of choice or rights that Aboriginal people weregiven, how tightly their movements and actions were monitored and controlled, andthe role that missions played within this. Aboriginal people were no longer free tomove across the land gathering food, medicines, or visit spiritual and healingplaces. They were also less able to control their own lives, safety and relationships.44