Aborigines’ Role in Sydney

            Although the Pequots and Mohegans have achieved financial success, they are not as visible a presence in the Norwich area as the Aborigines are in Sydney. Foxwoods contains a Pequot Museum to educate the people on the culture of the indigenous Americans, but there are rarely events in the region commemorating Native American customs and traditions. The town puts on one small outdoor fair a year where they attempt to recreate a tribal setting. The Pequots and Mohegans mainly keep to their own respective tribes and people.  It is rare to find Native Americans in higher school grades because of the high level drop out rates. I attended the local public high school which had a diverse population but no Native Americans.  Like Aborigines, Native American youth continue to struggle with drug and alcohol issues as well as high dropout and mortality rates.

            Although the cultures may seem similar in regards to their relationship with the white settlers, there are distinct differences between the cultures of indigenous Australians in Sydney and indigenous Americans.  As aforementioned, the Pequots and Mohegans are not regarded for their art or culture in the present society. While Australian society appears to want to learn about the indigenous cultures, people are apathetic towards the rich Native American cultures in southeastern Connecticut. In Norwich the school systems gloss over education on these respective cultures, whereas in Australia people are aware of Aboriginal existence, relationships, and struggles. Cultural events appear to occur more within the Sydney community.

The attitudes towards the tribes are starkly different. Because of events such as the Apology Day Australians know that the way they had treated the Aborigines is unacceptable. There is a movement for change. However, there has not been a federal apology to the Pequots and Mohegans, even though thousands were killed and enslaved by American governments. The attitude is that the indigenous Americans have not suffered and been exploited in the same way that the Aborigines have. They have found prosperity through the establishment of two casinos. Since the Pequots are extremely well off economically, many ‘regular’ citizens either feel resentment or apathy towards them.

            Globalization has transformed the composition of America and Australia. However, each culture could not function without its indigenous populations.  The relations between the indigenous peoples and the respective Australian and American governments need vast improvements. However, the future looks promising for both cultures.