A Certain Heritage

Programs for and by Aboriginal families in Australia

by H. C. Coombs, M. M. Brandl and W. E. Snowdon

Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, 1984, ISBN 0867400455, large paperback

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges, corners, and covers, sunned spine, stamp and sticker residue to title page, tape residue to endpapers, dog-eared creasing to back bottom ½ doz pages (see photographs)

“This book describes the results of three years of research into the impact of government programs on Aboriginal families.  This research was funded under the Children’s Services program, administered by the Office of Child Care, Commonwealth Department of Social Security.  Many of the programs impinge upon the ways in which Aborigines raise their children.  They cut across lines of responsibility in Aboriginal family groups.  Many well-intentioned programs fail because they damage, rather than support, Aboriginal socialisation processes.
For the first time in the literature aspects of Aboriginal identity and ethnicity are described in detail.  That something which can be called Aboriginality exists and persists is no surprise to anyone who identifies as an Aboriginal.  For non-Aborigines the book provides many insights towards understanding Aboriginality.”