From hunting to drinking : the devastating effects of alcohol on an Australian Aboriginal community / David McKnight.

London : Routledge, 2002

87532

Alcoholism -- Australia -- History.

Aboriginal Australians -- Alcohol use -- Queensland -- Mornington Island.

Aboriginal Australians -- Government relations.

1. Introduction

2. Anthropological Views of 'The Drinking Problem'

3. Policies and Practices: Putting Aborigines 'in their place'

4. The Social and Historical Background of the Wellesley Islands

5. Changing Relationships Between the Generations

6. Try-Ask and Knock-Back

7. The Snake

8. The Shire and the Canteen

9. The Destruction of the Community and the Self

10. Childhood and Formal Education

11. Law and the Police

12. The Built Environment

13. 'You Can't Stop Native People From Drinking'?

14. Why Isn't Something Done?

15. Conclusions.

"From Hunting to Drinking reveals the devastating effects that alcohol has had over a period of 30 years on Mornington Island, off the North Queensland Coast, Australia. Drinking has become the main social activity on the island and the amount of alcohol consumed has reached a disturbing level. Suicide and homicide rates are alarmingly high and alcohol related illness is rife.David McKnight assesses this situation and explores how it now affects all reaches of community life - local politics, marriage, child-rearing practices, gender relationships, employment, law, housing and education.In an attempt to explain why the Mornington Islanders drink so much he reviews the history of drinking in Australia as well as its causes. He also asks why the situation has been allowed to continue, exploring the vested interest that the authorities have in the sale of alcohol on the island. Based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, this is a vital addition to the literature on alcohol use and problem drinking, social change and postcolonialism." -- BOOK JACKET.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [228]-234) and index.

0415271509

0415271517

xii, 239 p. : ill. ; 22 cm