INDIGENOUS HERITAGE

AN HISTORIC decision is proposed for First Nations people to be recognised in our constitution (TC, 11/ 07). But how does one prove Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islands heritage, to satisfy inclusion in future benefits, apart from current ones, that will flow to such citizens of Australia?

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website claims, “Your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is personal to you. You do not need a letter of confirmation to identify as an indigenous person.”

Letters of confirmation from school programs, housing or study grants would help your case. A problem could be for people who have subjective evidence only, by someone saying they are indigenous, to enable claims. And to what degree of being indigenous means one is so, considering inter-racial marriage with European and Asian people over past two centuries?

I have no known Aboriginal heritage. But do have North American Cree Indian heritage through a British ancestor who worked for Canada’s Hudson’s Bay Company, around 1860. He married a full-blood Cree Indian woman, Sally Wappis. Their daughter later married and moved to Australia.

One of my sons shows distinct eyes akin to the Asiatic features of American Indians. This is a genetic feature of “throw-back” after a number of generations connected to that race.

Does that mean we can claim benefits available to First Nations North Americans? No, and nor we want to. Surely it behoves all of us to be the best Australians we can be and not get caught up in what could prove a very divisive debate.

PETER KNOBEL, Toowoomba