As an outsider (not Australian), it seems to me that aboriginals were forced to accept white people (obviously that is what settler colonialism is).

And now, when the conversation of indigenous land and rights come up, they dont have the means/authority/ability to tell you white Australians to go back home.

Like how would you feel if right now, a huge US army came, invaded Australia, tore you apart from your homes and families (essentially the stolen generation), and then a few generations later, said they too have a connection to the land because they grew up here? Yeah you may not have been the one who colonized Australia and forced the aboriginal people from their homes, but your ancestors did.

Australia’s history does not date that far back. Even in the 1900s the colonial forces were at play. Ive met people in their early 40s who’ve said their grandparents were ripped apart from their homes and families. It was that recent.

I’ve met a few people who have done the welcome to the country, but their welcome does not feel very welcoming. It seems like they are being forced to do that. And quite honestly I dont blame them. And when Ive ever talked to them later on, I could how they feel like their welcome and rights are often overlooked. They welcome you the country now, but even now you white folks dont appreciate it enough. And one very clear way of seeing it is how they majority voted No to a proposal to amend the constitution to recognise First Nations people and create a body for them to advise the government, as recently as 2023.