PerthCrow you are quite right that the 'Aboriginal issue' has been hijacked by vested interests both left and right. The right are interested in 'blame the victim' and the left and coddling them, both are patronising and wrong. A large percentage of my client base is Koori and thier issues and problems are the same as my white clients. There are however suble differences in working with Koori clients that has to do with thier cultural background. For instance all property is communal property, ie if I buy a washing machine for a Koori client it is likely that it will end up somewhere else. If I provide a food hamper it will be shared amongst the rest of the clients. The same goes for money and housing. Once as a worker one understands this then service response can be tailored accordingly.
As for discrimination, I see it everyday in many subtle forms. Koori clients will be offered public housing that is sub-standard or has not been though a pre-leasing mateniance cycle. Or it will be the specialist appt that will be offered for 7.30am or 6.00pm at night and then cancelled. It will be the Police following Kooris up the street or parking up the road from them for extended periods, or just harrassing them in the street. One client was 'spoken to' by the same officer 3 times in the space of two hours a couple days ago and subjected to bag searches.
Leper be prepared to bare your butt.
As for discrimination, I see it everyday in many subtle forms. Koori clients will be offered public housing that is sub-standard or has not been though a pre-leasing mateniance cycle. Or it will be the specialist appt that will be offered for 7.30am or 6.00pm at night and then cancelled. It will be the Police following Kooris up the street or parking up the road from them for extended periods, or just harrassing them in the street. One client was 'spoken to' by the same officer 3 times in the space of two hours a couple days ago and subjected to bag searches.
Leper be prepared to bare your butt.

