[yabbadabbadoo]

My great grandmother was Aboriginal. I have known for a long time, but out of respect for my grandmother, I wasn't able to do anything about obtaining proof. She passed away about 18 months ago so I feel I am able to follow it through now.

The problem is the process that I need to go through. I understand why it is the way it is, but I really don't want to claim any benefits from it, I don't need to. I just want to be able to tick the box on forms when it asks. Again, not for any benefit, I have no interest in claiming anything, but it still feels wrong ticking it because I don't have a piece of paper that says I can, so I don't.

I do fit the first two criteria of identification, but don't see the point of going through with the third as I don't need the piece of paper to know my heritage. As I said I just want to tick the right box - obviously this is just a representation of my need to identify publicly, I am not having a tanti over not being able to tick the box.

There is a very strong family resemblance to my great grandmother in many of my extended family members, also in my eldest son. He is fair skinned but to look at him you can see the resemblance very clearly. Not that it matters what he looks like, but both my kids know of their heritage, are proud of it and often tell people when discussions come up about indigenous people, like in class, but they are never believed.

I know they are a very small percentage, but it is important to them. When DS 2 first started school, they had a performance by some indigenous people. During it, they called DS 2 up to be a part of it. After the performance, during recess, the people made themselves available to the kids for questions etc. I was with DS 2 chatting to a lady and I mentioned that DS 2 had indigenous heritage and she said she knew! I was of course taken aback as he has no resemblance at all physically. She said she just knew and she felt it so that is why she picked him out of the crowd. She said he had an old soul and various other things which were very accurate about his personality etc. To this day I haven't forgotten that encounter. He also really identifies with one of my cousins who has been recognised , they talk about spiritual things and are very much on the same wave length.

So, I don't really know why I have written all this. I guess I am just frustrated that I have to have a piece of paper to rightfully say that I am of Aboriginal descent. I know I am, I don't want anything from it, other than to be able to say it without being questioned or for people to assume I want something from it.

This post has been edited by yabbadabbadoo: 04/02/2013, 01:18 PM

[stopwhiningatme]

I think, if I were you, I'd get it. Simply because it would make it easier for your children to have the formal recognition. And that may be important to them, one day.

[MissingInAction]

Sorry, I feel like i need more info. What's the criteria for identification?

[yabbadabbadoo]

These are the criteria for proof

-being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

-identifying as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

-being accepted as such by the community in which you live, or formally lived

[Jenflea]

I'm not sure why you need a paper though.
You say you need it to rightfully claim that you are of Aboriginal descent, but what's stopping you from claiming it?
I don't fully understand why the paper is so necessary. Why can't you just say you are of aboriginal descent?
If you don't want to claim anything and you don't want people to assume you want something from it, WHY do you need the paper?
Don't you know the truth already? Does it matter what anyone else thinks?
I don't quite understand the angst.
As MIA said, what is the 3rd criteria needed anyway? Birth certificates?

[Le-a]

I get where you're coming from. My heritage is important to me.

I know nothing of the process involved with getting recognized, but It sounds like something very important to you and your children and your extended family. If I were in your shoes, I would persue it.

Which reminds me, I must get on to the Swiss consulate and register my marriage and my sons birth! It's only been three years!

All the best, I hope it's not too challenging for you, emotionally and practically.

[CrazySingleMum]

I thought that unless you wanted to access services that are reserved for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander people, you were able to tick the box.

A friend of mine has Aboriginal heritage, although she's not listed anywhere as Aboriginal, her children are regularly included in school activities reserved for indigenous people.

To PP,
The criteria for identification is as follows:
Visit My Website

I used to work in an Aboriginal Land Office and one of the standard items on the monthly board agenda was the Confirmations of Aboriginality.

[yabbadabbadoo]

Jenflea, not sure why all the angst. Maybe because it was always so hush hush in our family, so I feel like I have been lying all these years by not putting it out there on any form I have filled in, not even on the census or school enrolment papers. Maybe not a biggie to some, but I have an over active conscience which does occasionally prevent me from seeing things logically or without 'angst'.

This post has been edited by yabbadabbadoo: 04/02/2013, 01:33 PM

[meljbau]

So, I don't really know why I have written all this. I guess I am just frustrated that I have to have a piece of paper to rightfully say that I am of Aboriginal descent. I know I am, I don't want anything from it, other than to be able to say it without being questioned or for people to assume I want something from it.

I understand how you feel. My DH has been trying to find out about his grandfather too and some people have asked us why we want to know. I guess the same reason most people want to know about their heritage. My DH's grandfather was placed in an orphanage at 5, but the paperwork says his mother was still alive. There are few details on his placement papers unlike most of the other paperwork at the orphanage in his era. We do know his surname and it is the same as a well known aboriginal family in the western district. When he was 10 he was sent from the home to work as a farm boy. All the other boys went down to the western district but he and one other were sent to the north of the state. We wonder if that was to keep him away from his extended family. It is very hard to trace any details as he never had a birth certificate. I've contacted the local aboriginal co-op but the person who held some family records was on sorry business and I haven't followed up.

I hope things work out for you, OP

[Mummy Em]

I think you (and your son particularly) will get more out of the process of fullfilling that third part of the process than just the piece of paper saying you are of aboriginal decent. Why not look into getting in contact with other relatives of your grandmother's?

I agree with you, I think it is really important that we have statistics on people who have lost touch with their aboriginal heritage, often not through their own choice.