"Reconciliation" and Aboriginal Needs in Sydney

Since the British arrived on the Australian landmass in 1788, Aboriginal people have faced over a century of enslavement, forced assimilation and exclusion from city growth. In the United States, Native Americans face similar oppression on their reservations. As a result, the communities now struggle economically and are frequently forgotten or overlooked in broader social circles. The solutions indicated on the City of Sydney's website (https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/people-communities/reconciliation) have the potential to be very helpful for lessening the impacts of this disparity. 

Is this need being met? How?:

This is a debatable question. On the one hand, a lot of progress has been made in reconciling with the past. Acknowledgement of Country is on almost every Australian website, event, and even certain documents. They often are simple statements, like "We honor the Gadgigal elders who are the owners of this land." Sometimes, however, it's an entire welcome ceremony with Aboriginal dancers. On the other hand, my Aboriginal studies professor told us about higher rates of policing in Aboriginal communities. The Guardian even recently posted an article about it (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/31/nsw-police-use-fo...). 

Additionally, while there is a clear presence of Aboriginal art and history in public spaces, it all tends to focus on the past.

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