Indigenous Australians have faced many changes to their original way of life, with the introduction of numerous policies. These policies had an incredible effect on the way Indigenous Australians lived. The policies inflicted on Indigenous Australians varied widely and had numerous impacts. Assimilation, protection and integration policies have had mainly negative impacts on the community, causing the loss of identity, language and religion. Self-determination and reconciliation policies have had mostly positive effects on Australia's indigenous community, creating a stronger bond between black and white Australians, encouraging the concept of bridging the gap between indigenous Australians and non-indigenous Australians. These policies had an incredible influence on the lives of indigenous Australians, changing many ways in which they lived. The policies have changed the path of history for all Australians. The Protection Policy was the first policy and had serious effects on the Aboriginal people of Australia. Violence against Aboriginal people had been at a high rate, white Australians felt it was their duty to protect Aboriginal people, and the policy aimed to separate Aboriginal people from white Australians. They were removed and placed on government reservations and church missions, where they were forced to become Christians. The aim of the policy and missions was to eradicate all Aboriginal languages, religions and spiritualities. In 1883 a protection committee was established to manage the missions. The missions and camps had a paternalistic approach, treating Aboriginal people as a parent would treat a small child. The impact of this policy has been terrible, with the mission resembling a prison. Aboriginal people have lost their independence and have become extremely dependent on the community... middle of paper... and live alongside white Australians, while other Aboriginal people have happily moved into the community and come to live a more civilized life . The next policy introduced was that of self-determination, which was greatly welcomed by the Aboriginal community, as it gave the Aboriginal people back some of their rights. As the relationship between non-Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Australians improved, there was a strong call for reconciliation. With many opinions including why people today should apologize for the injustices of Australia's past. The effects of reconciliation were caused by the controversial approach; there were numerous talks, activities and "sorry days". The effects of all policies varied greatly, due to differences in policies. The affects caused change the path of history and have brought us to where we are today.