Backbencher

The first lecture was a brief introduction to the Maori of New Zealand, and the Aborigine of Australia. We started the lecture talking about the problems with terminology of the tribes. Sioux, Cherokee and other tribes of America have basically been generalized as Native Americans. Aborigine and Maori are clearly defined with no generalizations. The second part of the lecture was the discussion of the European influence on these people. The Maori were much more open -minded to the European ways than the Aborigine. The third part of the lecture was the environmental actions on the land. “Firestick Farming” was a way to form the land for easier use. These people were great farmers and had a great talent for up keeping the land.

When I think of Australia and New Zealand, I don’t think of native people. I think of the English speaking nature loving people. I think it is interesting that the Aborigine and Maori had very different outlooks of the European settlers. I didn’t hear where the Europeans immigrated first or if there was war or real conflict when they did migrate. I am looking forward to the hardships faced throughout the history of this country. I think that a country’s hardships and how they resolved them is the most interesting thing about the history of the country.