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How much progress has there been in ‘reconciliation’ between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians since the early 1990s? Discuss with reference to one of the following: the question of an apology to, and compensation for, the “stolen generations” of Aboriginal children; a treaty between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians; changes in relation to land rights; or material improvements in the lives of indigenous Australians.

The issues between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians in this country have proven to be a very significant problem since Caucasian settlers invaded Australia. Many debates have been argued by various people regarding this topic referring to the rights that Aborigines should or should not obtain. Research has led me to discover that these indigenous Australians are the most disadvantaged group of people of Australia today. Most of their problems consist of colonisation, dispossession from their lands and forced marginalisation, hence, are deprived of privileges that others take for granted. Nevertheless, indigenous people have always fought for their rights, arguing that they should be able to reap benefits from the country as well, being that they were the original settlers of Australia. In the wider society, many non-indigenous people have argued and defended indigenous people saying that the treatment given to them by the government is harsh and called for recognition of their rights (“Reconciliation Australia”, 2007). Therefore, there have been various groups, organisations, protests, etcetera, voicing out their opinions and taking action in achieving reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, but how much has been done and has reconciliation been successful? In this essay, I shall discuss the ‘reconciliation’ progress between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians with reference to the apology and compensation for the “stolen generations” of Aboriginal children.

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