Botany Bay 1788-
Tribal elders from all over NSW were gathering for a public forum on the beach as debate amongst locals continues to rage over the issue of the impending arrival of the Tall Ships People.
One tribal elder Andrewiki Boltee has been attracting controversy for weeks for his public comments ever since the fleet of tall ships was sighted heading southwards along the north coast.
"These people know nothing of this society's values and they will never be able to intergrate. Look at the way they insist on wearing clothing all over their bodies even in warm weather, use forks when they eat and ride on these funny things called horse and carts. Their arrival will promote social division, ethic tension and tribalism. These Tall Ships People have no regard or love for this country and will only use it as a convenient place to settle while retaining their loyalty for that England place where they bloody came from."
Another tribal elder Johnnee Howardiee shouted his agreement, "we own this land and we should decide who gets to arrive here and the circumstances in which they arrive!"
A rival elder Phillipee Adamsar spoke in defence of the Tall Ships People "what a heartless country we have become! Do you blokes know what its like in England? The poverty, the pollution! And do you know what the conditions are like on those bloody ships? Weevils, maggots, whips, fever! These people have come across the entire world to live here in this country- we should welcome them as the assets they are!"
Boltee snorted in disgust, "Typical bleedin' heart leftie!"
"What's a leftie?" a warrior whispered to his mate.
"Its when you live on the left side of the blue mountains, mate" his friend replied, "folk there tend to be a bit more educated, have huts with polished floor-boards and stuff, yah know".
Boltee wasn't finished, "these people who undermine our culture, who hate this country and think its full of rascists, they have no idea of what the reality is like out there!"
A very old former tribal leader Malcolmiki Frazzah spoke sadly, "This is why I left my tribe. I just don't recognise them anymore..."
Pedar Garrahett was next, "we should welcome them! We need to be multi-cultural. And there's plenty of room on the western side of the Bay."
"Oh yeah? And where do you live?" some-one called out.
"Errr, Circular Quay."
Finally the tribal mediator called it a night.
"Well its certainly a hot topic. Thanks for joining us. I'm Kerree O'Breyum. See youse all next week."
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Topic: Tribal Elders in 1788 ignite debate over Tall Ships People (Read 513 times)