https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-could-rename-historically-racist-boundary-streets-20160129-gmhgi3.html 

 

Moreton Robinson (2017) discusses how non Indigenous Peoples are able to enjoy a sense of belonging, home and place through the dispossession of the original owners of the land. As a result, this makes us question what this means in terms of Indigenous peoples belonging and ownership, if their rights were and still are extremely jeopardised. 

Historically, it was through the Dreaming that Indigenous Peoples derived their sense of belonging, as in ancestral beginnings belonging was attached to the creation of land and life, which would inform the present and future. Since colonialism, Indigenous Peoples did not have the freedom to maintain their own sense of belonging, as this is governed by white Australians. Moreton Robinson (2017) discusses this, by reporting that these people were denied their original property rights under the new international law and rights as a British citizen. As these people were viewed outside of the law, it quickly meant they were excluded in society, as well as claims to land. Indigenous people only attained citizenship in the late 1960s and continue to be the most socio-economically impoverished group in Australian society today (ibid). 

Since Indigenous peoples historically were seen as 2^nd class citizens in terms of belonging and ownership of land, this makes us question how sense of belonging is achievable today. Today, Indigenous Peoples achieve this by claiming certain neighbourhoods and areas within a suburb. In the case of West End, these people have close associations with Musgrave Park, as a strong indigenous centre. 

 

Moreton Robinson, A. 2017. Sense of Belonging, How Indigenous Sovereignty Unsettles White Australia. ABC Religion and Ethics. [Online]. 21 February. [Accessed 19 September 2017]. Available from: http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2017/02/21/4623659.html


(Katie)

At least one prominent Aboriginal activist, Sam Watson, has rejected the push, saying Boundary Street in both West End and Spring Hill served as a constant reminder of the horrific treatment of the area's original inhabitants.
The inner-city Boundary streets, on either side of the Brisbane River, were so named due to a racist policy that separated European arrivals from the local Jagera and Turrbal populations.

Earlier this month, street signs at West End were changed to "Boundless Street" and, since then,an online petition has been set up to call for such a name change to be made official.

Petitioner Michael Colenso said the names were "outdated" and held Brisbane back from "meaningful progression as a city and peoples committed to truthful and respectful harmony".

Cr Quirk said he understood the sentiment, given the shocking treatment Murris suffered at the hands of early European settlers, and would open a dialogue with local elders about a possible change.

"It's a part of our history that there's not too much pride about, but it is a part of our history nonetheless and a reminder of the prejudices that did used to exist and the limitations of freedom that did used to exist for Aboriginal people in our past," he said.

Despite a history of brutal colonialism and by ongoing unfair treatment by the government, they're still active producing arts and surviving. The gather together and help each other endlessly. Yes they are still thriving, but at the same time they are not getting weaker. They are getting stronger within their small number of people.