A West Australian bureaucrat has deemed the use of the term ‘Aboriginal’ on birth, death and marriage certificates as offensive and redacted it from historic certificates.
Perth Man, Gary Smith, who discovered this practice after receiving a document of his Aunt’s with the word ‘Aboriginal’ whited-out, said the practice makes him feel sick, as if he should be ashamed to be Aboriginal.
Several requests have since been made by members of the community and Historians, who were unaware of the practice, urging these removals to be stopped, as it tampers and ‘white-washes’ history.