Evaluation

Te Ao Hou, September 1967, Page 22

Evaluation In four days we had experienced a great deal. We had gained deeper insight into ourselves. We had made new friends and had seen how they lived. Because of their lives we had gained a deeper appreciation of our own way of life. We had given of ourselves, so that emotionally we were drained and empty, left with the feeling that the friendship, encouragement and support we had given must not be withdrawn. I think that they saw in us a realisation of what might be. They had taken steps towards its achievement. They wanted recognition and equality for their own efforts. This feeling is best expressed in this quotation from a poem by Kath Walker, an Aborigine who has published two books of poems. ‘Make us neighbours, not fringe dwellers, Make us mates, not poor relations, Citizens, not serfs on stations. Must we native Old Australians In our own land rank as aliens? Banish bans and conquer caste, Then we'll win our own at last.’ Aboriginal Charter of Rights.