aboriginal land rights issueas recorded in oodgeroo noonuccal's ...

-- -162people were nomadic people who did not own lands. They believed thatAboriginal people had no idea ofland ownership as they did not developany agricultural activity.They were not economically bound to the land.Therefore, white peoplejust took the land from them without giving anycompensation which was fonnally acknowledged by the Britishgovernment. Broome, Buckley and Wheelwright have revealed that sucha perception is wrong. Buckley and Wheelwright (1992: 21) say that"actually, recent research indicates that Aborigines were not as nomadicas was supposed. Periodically they occupied regular camp sites andsometimes theyconstructed durable huts."Broome shows the economic tie between Aboriginal peopleand their lands. He takes an aboriginal song from the Oenpelli region toreveal this idea. From his observation to the song, he arrives at theconclusion that not only does Aborigines' love to the lands indicate aspiritual but also economic relationship: "The land not only gave life, itwas life" (Broome, 1992: 14).The land rights in Australia prove to be complicated. Thiscomplication is reflected in one of Oodgeroo Noonuccal's powerfulpoems entitled "WeAre Going". Noonuccal also uses this title to nameher first poetry collection in which her single poem "WeAre Going" islisted. This poetry collection becomes the first Aboriginal literatureproduced in Australia.We Are GoingThey came in to the little townA semi-naked band subdued and silent,All that remained of their tribe.They came here to the place of their old bora groundWhere now the many white men hurry about like ants.Notice of estate agent reads: 'Rubbish May Be TIppedHere'.Now it half covers the traces of the old bora ring.They sit and are confused, they cannot say their thoughts:DIKSI Vo/.l1, No.1, Januar; 2004