Assessment 2: AEK1203

What does Reconciliation and the 2008 Apology to the Stolen Generations mean to you, and how do you expect it will impact on your professional practice as you respond to Closing The Gap initiatives in Australia?

An essay: up to 1,000 words

Due week 9

 

 

Since 1992, several Australian Prime Ministers and politicians have delivered a speech regarding the status of Indigenous people in relation to the settlement of this country.  Here are hyperlinks to each of them:

 

Paul Keating’s “Redfern Speech” December 1992 Paul Keating’s “Redfern Park” speech

 

Qld politician, Pauline Hanson said in 1996, “Wake up Australia… we are in danger of being swamped by Asians.’ 7.30 Report ABC TV_Pauline Hanson

 

John Howard’s “Address on Reconciliation” Oct 24, 2007 John Howard’s “blemish” in Australia’s history

 

Kevin Rudd’s “National Apology to the Stolen Generations” Feb13, 2008 (choose one format)

Video: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP – Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples (WMV) 7.7MB – 4min, 3sec

Video: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP – Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples (MOV) 16MB – 4min, 3sec

Audio: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP – Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples (MP3) 1.2MB – 3min, 40sec – 48kbps Mono

In May 9, 2008 John Howard restates opposition to an apology to Indigenous Australians

 

Al Jazeera NEWS Feb 9, 2009 After the Apology-Al Jazeera News

There has also been an apology given by Canada’s PM to Canadian First Nations people in June 2008 Steven Harper, PM Canada gives apology

 

And, prior to this, by the government of South Africa

 

Does the Australian Constitution protect the rights of Indigenous people?  Look over these sites too and see what you can find:  Human Rights Commission and the Australian Constitution, and Recognise-it’s the right thing to do

 

This essay is due in week 9, after the mid-semester break so you have 5 weeks to review all of the resources above, do further reading, and write it up

Assessment Criteria:

 

• This is an individual essay style response from you

 

• The aim of your essay is to demonstrate that you understand the history of Reconciliation in Australia.   Ask yourself, what does it have to do with Closing The Gap and how is it connected to The Apology?  Also think about how you might link in your Assessment 1 reflection on your role in Indigenous health

 

• You need to describe your understanding of why it is necessary for all Australians to actively engage in reconciliation, and for all Australians to understand the history of British colonisation in Australia, and around the world

 

• Your essay should indicate what Reconciliation, and Closing The Gap and the 2008 Apology to the Stolen Generations means to you as Australians, or visitors to Australia, and to your colleagues and to your professional practice

 

• If you use references, even from the internet such as Google or Wikipedia, you must show clearly where they came from by including the author and the date of publication in your essay.  You should use a consistent style of referencing, such as Harvard or APA – there is a link in WebCT to the library to explain how to do this

 

• Where you refer to a speech or statement, then you also need to indicate who the speaker is, when the statement was made, and where it is published, such as through an on-line (w.w.w.) link.  You can state this in your essay, or again, use a formal referencing style.

 

 

What to do:

 

View each statement, and/or find additional commentary on each statement

Try to incorporate your views written into your Reflective Assessment 1

Take a look at the statistics and other material that is available to you in WebCT

 

• In your tutorial class, and working in small groups each week, you discuss and share what you already know about Closing The Gap and The Apology and Reconciliation

 

• You will discuss in class how to go about completing this assessment – remember, you already have a starting  point and that is your Assessment 1

 

• Take a look at all of the video and web links and documents provided

 

• If you locate other material, then bring it into your class and discuss how it might be useful, or not

 

• In your tutorial class, you can discuss your ideas and raise any questions about the topic with your tutor and others in your group

 

• Each week you will know a little more because you would have looked at more of the resources and more of the material above, or you may have found new material to share in class

 

• TV is a good resource too such as SBS and NITV News or ABC for commentary on key issues

 

• There are many different views that can be put in this essay, but we are especially interested in how you express your own view, and what has influenced you to take this view.

 

• If you are struggling with writing a formal essay, then firstly write some key questions.  Start with around 5 questions, and add more later if you like. Your first question becomes your introduction, so make it general and targeting exactly where you think you are taking the reader. These questions might come to you as you view the speeches or read other material.  They might come to you in the tutorial discussions, or in the lectures. There is always another WHY question inside you somewhere.

 

• Write your list of questions up in a Word document, in a list.  Then, go back and answer each question individually.  When you have done this, try to sum it all up into one concluding statement.  For example, one key question could be: What do I already understand about my role in Indigenous health?  ** You have already answered this question in part, in Assessment 1, so go back and try to rework it now into this paper.  From the discussions we had in the tutorials about Assessment 1, you may have changed your original view, or taken on the ideas and comments from others in your class.  If you did change your view, then say so, and try to say why.

For example, how does your own migration story influence how you view the world?

 

 

A satisfactory completion of this assignment will include, but not be limited to:

 

• Evidence that you have considered the range of statements and media commentary made around The Apology, Closing The Gap and Reconciliation and their potential impact on Australia’s health and social policies;

 

• A personal reflection on at least one statement based on your understanding of the connectedness between notions of truth, reconciliation and history contained within such political statements

 

• A clear statement that indicates the benefits are to all Australians when we achieve reconciliation, or when there is No Gap

 

• Your response as a health care professional and your personal reflection as an Australian citizen, or visitor to Australia, on Reconciliation and The Apology as you now understand it

 

• A professional response (in your conclusion) of how and why political ideology shapes public health policy (we looked at what ideology is in Week 1…go to the PPT)

 

 

This assignment is due in week 9 and is submitted in class to your tutor, with a signed Cover Sheet attached.  See page 4 of the Unit Guide for more information.

 

If you need an extension, read the notes in the Unit Guide about this and how to apply

 

If you need extra help with your written English or anything else, see your tutor first.  There are many people in the library that can also help you.