Essay

ESSAY

The statement, “We Are Going” is a poem that has little value, is indeed false. The poem’s value is increased through its powerful messages about the loss of Indigenous cultures, and its representation of the values of Indigenous and Western Culture which aim to increase society’s awareness of these issues.

The Aboriginals feel they no longer have a culture because it has been destroyed by the settlement of “white people” on their land. In this poem, an Aboriginal tribe return to their land, and they see that the bora ring has been desecrated. The remnants of the tribe that once conducted ceremonies on that ground feel powerless to act or express their thoughts. They believe they are custodians of the land and it is a part of them. To have it ripped away from them is unfair and they feel a part of them is missing.
“They came in to the little town
A semi-naked band subdued and silent
All that remained of their tribe”

This quote from the poem clearly shows that the Aboriginals feel ripped of their land and culture and don’t know how to react. Something that was also very hurtful to the Aboriginals was the sign that read “Rubbish May Be Tipped Here”. The land on which the dump stands was once the bora ring, the centre of the society. It held so many memories, and to see the rubbish tipped on that sacred place, shows the disrespect of the white people.

There is a huge difference between the past and the present. The past was happy, full of animals, laughter, games, hunting and traditional ways of the Aboriginals. Now the place has been turned upside down, trashed and shows no Indigenous heritage.

This poem expresses the feelings of Indigenous people, so through this it also increases the reader’s awareness about cultural differences and values. The poet, Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Cathy Walker), describes to the reader the ways and lifestyle of the Indigenous society. She writes about the corroboree, the bora ground, old ceremonies, Dream Time,...