Content warning: references to suicide
In the lead up to yet another , Morrison announced $6.7 million in funding to “re-enact” a historical maritime journey that never happened.
Since it was , the replica of the HMS Endeavour, one of the vessels Cook sailed in, has twice sailed around the world and twice circumnavigated Australia. so this floating museum can take another spin along the Australian coastline.
Combined with previously announced funding to commemorate Cook in 2020, the total comes to $48.7 million. That’s a lot of commemorating for a nation that insists we .
Shorten responded to this latest announcement of funding by stating he wouldn’t be engaging with the prime minister’s ‘.’
And, in true Aussie spirit, people were quick to once again on social media.
This latest homage to history is somewhat reminiscent of King Louis XIV’s lavishly garish gestures that preceded the storming of the Bastille. Not to worry though, construction of around Parliament House has commenced.
But seriously, why the big song and dance for ? True, was a competent manager, loyal public servant and efficient cartologist with a keen interest in science, but when it came to his engagement with this country, overall his achievements weren’t spectacular enough to justify this much attention. International cruise ships have longer stopovers in Australia than Cook did.
Even though Cook’s legacy is chartering the land’s East Coast, a circumnavigation of the whole continent has been mapped out for this replica voyage.
There are more crucial events to focus on than a ship full of settler-colonialists stopping off at 39 locations for watercress sandwiches and a two-cannon salute.
For starters, how about focusing on suicide intervention and prevention programs? Because saving lives is more important than playing colonial dress-ups.
In the , five Aboriginal girls died by suicide. After allegedly attempting to take their own lives, a 12-year-old Indigenous boy is reportedly on life-support in Brisbane and a 11-year-old Aboriginal boy was admitted to intensive care in Perth.
January’s tragic losses include: a 15-year-old from Western Australia, who passed away whilst in Townsville; 12-year-old in South Headland, Western Australia; 14-year-old in Warnum, an Aboriginal community in the Kimberley; 14-year-old in Perth, Western Australia; and 12-year-old near Adelaide, South Australia.
Endeavour Circumnavigate 2 Route Source: Australian National Maritime Museum
Source: NITV News
These children are now being mourned in their communities — far too soon.
There is a statistical , especially among children and youth. Causes for these alarming statistics are known, as there’s been numerous focused on mental health and suicide prevention specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
At the end of November 2018, the final report from the was released. Despair, due to historical dispossession, premature mortality and current inequities, was identified as a significant cause of suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Poor access to housing, culturally competent mental health services and other supports were also highlighted in the report.
are asking the federal government to implement strategies from community-endorsed reports, such as the .
And Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities need funding and support to deliver ; approaches need to be flexible and specific to locations.
Risk factors can change. For example, in the digital era children and youth are exposed to new forms of bullying. However, need to be addressed, not just cyber-bullying.
Education campaigns to address bullying need to . Not all young people attend school, especially when the source of bullying is from peers, and some schools lack cultural competency to address racism.
It has been reported that Rochelle Pryor, one of the Aboriginal girls that tragically ended their lives this month, had been subjected to . Her family have spoken out to highlight this current crisis in communities.
Incidents of racism, , as well as , have a serious impact on social emotional wellbeing, especially for children and youth.
The present is directly linked to the past. Non-Indigenous people shouting ‘get over it’ is not the solution. If we are to talk of historical figures such as Cook, then we must also talk about their contributions to settler-colonisation. Decades of violence and loss have undeniably left a legacy of intergenerational inequities and discrimination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Australian federal government spending $48.7 million to memorialise the life of a British citizen who died 240 years ago, whilst too many present-day Australian citizens face access and equity issues with , is shameful.
A government that elects to put that much focus on an almost-fictional story of a long-dead white man, whilst over preventable deaths of Aboriginal children, has their priorities wrong.
Non-Indigenous Australians should listen to First Peoples, not fantasise about a colonial past with a foundation of white supremacy. Whether it is about changing a date, critiquing the white armband version of Australian history, or stopping youth suicides — the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will not be silenced.
Scullion recently reiterated what he said in 2018 — that of Australia Day with him. This is highly unlikely. , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been publicly critical of Australia Day. On this issue alone, many governments have heard but they chose not to act with respect.
I wonder how many white people asked for financial support, so the replica of HMS Endeavour could circumnavigate Australia for a third time, before the government responded?
HELPLINES
If you need help or would like someone to speak to, you can use the following services:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Headspace and Yarnsafe:
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Karen Wyld is a consultant and freelance writer of Martu descent, living on Karuna Country. Follow Karen
