How can I show my respect?
- Learn about Aboriginal culture, for example by reading texts written by Aboriginal authors.
- Resist the urge to propose solutions for Aboriginal issues, but rather listen deeply.
- Ask questions during workshops or cultural events you visit.
- Avoid stereotypes.
- Consult, consult, consult.
How to be a good Indigenous Ally
- Preference our voices.
- Be ok with not always being part of the conversation.
- Be there for the good times *and* the bad.
- Say something when you hear someone say inappropriate things about Aboriginal people.
- Don't take it personally when we don't agree with you.
- Don't go it alone.
The TRC is a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools (IRS). The Commission will document the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.
Protecting indigenous cultures is crucial for saving the world's biodiversity. Species are being lost at about a thousand times the natural rate of extinction. This is faster than at any other period in human history. Ecosystems – the vital systems on which all life depends – are being degraded across the globe.
Social, political, economic and environmental factors that impact on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health include:
- Health outcomes.
- Stolen generations.
- Colonisation and invasion.
- Land rights and native title.
- Dispossession.
- Acts of government including assimilation policies.
- Racism and discrimination.
- Media.
Aboriginal people comprise diverse Aboriginal nations, each with their own language and traditions and have historically lived on mainland Australia, Tasmania or on many of the continent's offshore islands. Many Torres Strait Islanders live on mainland Australia.
Aboriginal communities are also suffering from a mix of issues, often a consequence of the trauma people have experienced:
- Lack of services.
- Lack of medical care.
- Little education.
- High unemployment.
- Staff exhaustion.
- Decaying infrastructure.
- Broken families.
- High crime rates.
Effect on Traditional Authority: It has been noticed that the Aboriginal customary rules and traditional authority are affected markedly by dispossession and settlement process. Granting of land rights was seen as a revival for Aboriginal culture and tradition along with the outstation movement.
In order to find the records and proof of aboriginal familial connections, here are a few resources you can start with.
- Get Organized. Discovering family origins requires research.
- Family Records. The best place to start is with your own family's documentation.
- Contact Indigenous Organizations.
- AIATSIS.
Network with your local Aboriginal community and consider partnering with them on a specific program or project. Invite local people into your service to see your inclusive programs and resources. Invite Elders from your local community to take part in celebrations and significant events at your service.
Places to Learn About Aboriginal Culture and History
- Ubirr, Kakadu, Northern Territory.
- Sydney Cultural Cruise.
- Uluru, Northern Territory.
- Cultural Walk, Melbourne.
- Aboriginal Rock Art, Sydney.
- Kings Canyon, Northern Territory.
- Tour the Rainforest and Waterfalls – Tully, Tropical North Queensland.
- Brambuk Cultural Centre, Gariwerd (The Grampians)
Cultural significant dates
- 13 February. Anniversary of National Apology Day.
- 19 March. National Close the Gap Day.
- 26 May. National Sorry Day.
- 27 May. 1967 Referendum.
- 27 May 3 June. National Reconciliation Week.
- 3 June. Mabo Day.
- 1 July. Coming of the Light.
- 4 August. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day.
True reconciliation is based on forgiveness, and forgiveness is based on true confession, and confession is based on penitence, on contrition, on sorrow for what you have done.
Reconciliation is the act of bringing people together to be friendly again or coming to an agreement. An example of reconciliation is two siblings who mend their relationship after a period of fighting.
The future will never be free of conflict, so an appropriate goal of reconciliation processes is to establish norms for resolving disagreements in a peaceful, just and equitable manner.
It is possible to reconcile and give the relationship another fair shot, especially if couples practice open communication and employ the help of a therapist. Open communication with your ex will allow you to understand where they stand in regard to reconciliation.
A truth commission, also known as a truth and reconciliation commission or truth and justice commission, is an official body tasked with discovering and revealing past wrongdoing by a government (or, depending on the circumstances, non-state actors also), in the hope of resolving conflict left over from the past.
The PrinciplesReconciliation is a process of healing of relationships that requires public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration that acknowledge and redress past harms.
For the most part, First Nations people are Status or Treaty Indians registered with their home reserve, band or community. “First Nations” should be used exclusively as a general term, as community members are more likely to define themselves as members of specific nations, or communities within those nations.
Three impacts with implications for service delivery are:
- The emotional impact on Aboriginal people of their experiences and their families experiences.
- The barriers to gaining living skills (for example being separated from their family)
- The lack of trust of institutions.
It helped the aboriginals to get the benefit of western education and Technology which allows them to establish a connection from the world outside. Not only this, but the European connection also had a brutal impact on aboriginal culture, laws, society, lives, and the community places where they used to live.
General considerations when communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences include:
- Use clear language – ensure jargon, acronyms or technical terms are minimised and fully explained.
- Be aware that words might have different meanings in different communities.
