To scoop together Aboriginal art into one comprehensively generalised bucket is a bit like doing the same scooping with, for instance, African art. Although what is commonly known around the world as Aboriginal art, (multi-dotted Dreamtime maps, native animal 'x-ray' pictures and ochre-streaked didgeridoos), does loosely represent the ancient artistic aspirations of several Aboriginal tribes Australia wide, it is in reality, only a modern representation from a small section of the plethora of tribes who once roamed this vast continent. One of the initial truths any student of Aboriginal affairs soon discovers is that they have, or at least had, an altogether different concept of time to we 'westerners' and struggling to leave lasting renditions of their creative urges for following generations seems to have been an almost unknown concept. There are a few rock-paintings and the like left for us to ponder, yet most of what is today known as 'real Aboriginal art'was collected from the original artists themselves in the last century or two. The formidable spiritual significance of much of the 'artwork' left intact for modern man to contemplate is, despairingly, either 'beyond our ken' or perhaps, too blindingly obvious for us 'westernised' spectators. Although the purportedly authentic renditions, which began selling for big dollars in galleries in places such as central London, in the previous decade or so, do convey that mysterious something so many of us find impellingly attractive, the original artists of long ago had absolutely no idea about art galleries, right-angled borders, abstract impressionism or market value. If there are still wise old men on walkabout, out back of beyond, pausing to put colored earth to tree bark and depict the spiritual journey of their people, then the wise old codgers are keeping their sacred handiwork well out of harm's way. You and I will probably never have an opportunity to peruse (or misuse) it. That said, there are a great many, astonishingly talented Aboriginal artists working today. The modern materials they now use as mediums for their artistic fervor are way different to their ancestors' organic supplies and the themes they choose more related to current life and times. However, many delectably unique and magnetically naive creations are now widely available and plenty of praise is deserved by so many of the artists responsible. Not much praise is due to the 'middle-men,' people who engage in such activities as shamelessly exchanging a carton of beer for an artwork which will sell for a significant sum in an overseas gallery. Lamentably, cartons of beer can be enough enticement to get many members of remote Aboriginal communities attempting renditions of any artistic product said middle-men demand supplies of. Although recent progress has been made amidst Aboriginal society, to stem both the blatant misrepresentation of their cultural integrity and the alcohol abuse widely prevalent in their tribal communities, fraudulent artistic practices are problems which will not disappear overnight. Recent moves to introduce an authentication system for 'Aboriginal Art' at a local level, have happened long after a great many tourists have already travelled home with utter rubbish which hasn't ever been handled by Aboriginal people and certainly bears little resemblance to any true indigenous product. There are now enough tourist venues staffed and even managed by, the local Aboriginal peoples where visitors can purchase souvenirs and be fairly sure their acquisitions are authentically produced by the people themselves. Such purchases can also help immensely with the Aboriginal peoples necessary struggle to regain their independence. To cut a very long story significantly short, the culture of Australia's Aborigines has been virtually decimated since Europeans began settling here.With forced relocations and separations to cope with, occasional annihilation, at least one clear case of genocide to contend with, unchecked prejudice and intentional abuse a daily reality, almost every tribe underwent drastic changes that meant tens of thousands of years of evolving civilisation were to a great extent, either completely lost or (perhaps) perpetually polluted. Today, the Aboriginal peoples have finally begun to regroup, to attempt to regain at least some of what has been lost in such a tragic fashion and to re-establish their own pride, integrity and spiritual values amongst themselves. Whilst a few of them quite unobtrusively return to the nomadic and self-sufficient lifestyle of their not- so-distant forefathers, others struggle courageously to escape the disastrous repercussions of the introduction of alcohol, welfare handouts, mixed bloodlines, environmental destruction and the loss of their traditional ways. Others have truly begun integrating into the invading society and gradually occupations well beyond their wildest dreams until now, are within reach. Pilots, lawyers, politicians and even media personalities, are now not only of western extraction. Now, instead of fighting for 'land rights', they are litigating for land tenure and native title and occasionally winning. There is still a long way to go though, with so many facets involved and numerous uphill battles wait to be fought and won. Pitifully, the current Australian Prime Minister is unable to simply apologise for the past wrong-doings of some of his predecessors and many of us Aussies' ancestors, but then, he is a politician.