September 7, 2001

Australia praises the dream of Nunavut

Paul Okalik goes Down Under to talk about territory

JANE GEORGE
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — Is Nunavut something aboriginal people in Australia should emulate?
That's what the Australian press thinks, even though Premier Paul Okalik was reluctant to comment on Australia's internal affairs in his recent speaking tour of that country.

"Inuit Achieve what Aborigines Dream About," reads a recent headline in the Sydney Daily Herald.

That's how the media in Australia touted Nunavut's achievements when Okalik toured Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra in mid-August.

The Australian state of New South Wales, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, invited Okalik for a two-week visit.

Okalik said his rounds of official meetings, media interviews, speeches and talks with aboriginal leaders were "busy, busy."

In Sydney, Okalik also presided over the Australian premiere of Zach Kunuk's Atanarjuat.

"It was very well-received," Okalik said.

Okalik said Australians everywhere wanted to know more about Inuit and Nunavut.
"It was helpful to make them aware of Nunavut," he said.

But, despite repeated questioning by journalists, Okalik refused to draw comparisons between aboriginal people in Canada and those in Australia.

Okalik also refused to comment on Australia's relations with aboriginal people.

"I'm not prepared to lecture governments," Okalik said. "If anybody from a foreign government tried to tell us what to do, we would take exception."

The living conditions suffered by many of the 360,000 aboriginal people in Australia speak for themselves.

Life expectancy for aboriginal men in Australia is only 57 years, 19 years less than non-aboriginals. The infant mortality for aboriginal babies is more than three times higher that for non-aboriginals, and nearly 8 per cent of the adult aboriginal population is in jail.

The "Stolen Children," an estimated 100,000 aboriginal children who were systematically removed from their homes, are a subject of intense debate in Australia.

The Australian government has refused to make an official apology for that or any other past abuse.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard doesn't support the idea of the government making a symbolic statement of reconciliation.

Okalik and Pat Dodson, a respected aboriginal leader known as the "father of reconciliation," gave speeches to Australia's national press club about their respective nations' records in recognizing native rights.

Dodson thanked Okalik for the reminder that "dreams are achievable and that it is possible to regain control of our own world."

Dodson said he dreams that Australia will some day reach a treaty with its aboriginal population.

"When aborigines talk about their rights, they are not meant to be rights beyond the rights that other Australians enjoy. There's nothing to be scared of here," Dodson said.

"What we are talking about are fundamentally two things. Firstly, those rights that support our need to be aboriginal people within our tradition and culture ... and secondly, the capacity to enjoy the fullness of citizenship in Australia in all aspects."

Okalik said the highlight of his trip was a one-day visit in Sydney with local aboriginal leaders.

Okalik toured a daycare centre serving an aboriginal section of the city, as well as the Tranby Aboriginal College. Set up as an education cooperative in 1957, the college now offers diploma courses in Aboriginal studies, development studies and indigenous legal studies.

Okalik said he was impressed with the market that Aborgines have created for their art.

"I'm very envious of the progress they've made," Okalik said. "I would like to see aboriginal art be so prominent in our own country."

At least one major Australian company, known for its expertise in producing and marketing aboriginal art, is interested in creating ties with Nunavut, he said.