Is institutional racism a problem?
We have encountered racism within institutions like the Parks Department. Its legislation has effectively ensured difficulty for traditional owners to negotiate agreements with it, while claiming that it is the Native Title Act that restricts it. It sounds like negotiations become a power struggle with a government fearful of relinquishing control. Negotiations are definitely a power struggle with bureaucrats who, at the end of the day, do not actually have a vested interest in outcomes. I find it quite laughable when I sit down listening to bureaucrats arguing a point with me about my country because as bureaucrats they can actually get another job and move away, but I, as a traditional owner, cannot walk away from my country. Every decision that I make on behalf of my people is going to have some future effect, good or bad. What do you hope to achieve by negotiating a formal land management agreement with the government? Foremost for our elders is recognition that this land is our co
