Quote: "Indigenous Australians are people with familial heritage from, and membership in, the ethnic groups that lived in areas within the Australian continent before British colonisation."
An exploration of the indigenous cultures and histories of both Australia and New Zealand, including the social, political, and economic impact of colonization and current efforts towards reconciliation.
The Dreaming: The concept of the Dreaming is central to Indigenous cultures in both Australia and New Zealand. It refers to a spiritual realm that is believed to exist alongside the physical world.
Colonisation: The arrival of Europeans had a significant impact on Indigenous cultures in both Australia and New Zealand. Learning about the history of colonisation is crucial to understanding the current state of Indigenous communities.
Land Rights: Indigenous peoples have a strong connection to their traditional lands, and the struggle for land rights has been an ongoing issue.
Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous cultures have a wealth of knowledge about the natural world and how to live sustainably. This includes knowledge about plants, animals, weather patterns, and more.
Art: Indigenous art is a unique and important aspect of both Australian and New Zealand culture. It can include paintings, sculptures, carvings, and more.
Language: Indigenous languages in Australia and New Zealand are in danger of being lost. Learning about these languages and their importance to Indigenous cultures is critical.
Customary Law: Indigenous cultures have their own laws and systems of justice that differ from those of non-Indigenous societies.
Stolen Generations: In both Australia and New Zealand, Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and placed in residential schools or other institutions. This practice had a devastating impact on Indigenous cultures and is an important issue to learn about.
Treaty of Waitangi: In New Zealand, the Treaty of Waitangi is a significant document that outlines the relationship between the British Crown and Māori people. Understanding the treaty and its implications is essential to understanding New Zealand history and culture.
Racism and Discrimination: Indigenous peoples in both Australia and New Zealand have experienced discrimination and racism throughout their history. Learning about these experiences can help us understand the challenges faced by Indigenous communities today.
Aboriginal Australians: The Aboriginal Australians are the indigenous people of Australia who have inhabited the continent for over 50,000 years. They are made up of several hundred different nations and speak different languages and dialects. Their cultures are diverse and involve strong connections to the land and traditional practices.
Torres Strait Islanders: The Torres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands located between Australia and Papua New Guinea. They have their own distinct cultures and languages and have strong ties to the sea and fishing traditions.
Māori: The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and have inhabited the islands for over 1000 years. They have their own language, culture and customs which are often expressed through traditional performances, art and crafts.
Pacific Islanders: There are many different Pacific Islander cultures represented in Australia and New Zealand, including Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Cook Islander, Niuean and more. These cultures each have their own unique language, customs and beliefs and often have strong connections to the sea and land.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is an integral part of their cultures and are often used to express stories and totems. These works are created using a variety of techniques such as bark painting, sculpture, weaving and carving.
Colonial Histories: The history of colonialism in Australia and New Zealand is a significant part of Indigenous cultures and has had a major impact on their ways of life, communities and cultures. These histories are often remembered through oral storytelling, art and literature.
Quote: "They consist of two distinct groups: the Aboriginal peoples of the Australian mainland and Tasmania, and the Torres Strait Islander peoples from the seas between Queensland and Papua New Guinea."
Quote: "The term Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or the person's specific cultural group, is often preferred, though the terms First Nations of Australia, First Peoples of Australia and First Australians are also increasingly common."
Quote: "812,728 people self-identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the 2021 Australian Census, representing 3.2% of the total population of Australia."
Quote: "Of these Indigenous Australians, 91.4% identified as Aboriginal; 4.2% identified as Torres Strait Islander; while 4.4% identified with both groups."
Quote: "Since 1995, the Australian Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag have been official flags of Australia."
Quote: "The earliest conclusively human remains found in Australia are those of Mungo Man LM3 and Mungo Lady, which have been dated to around 50,000 years BP."
Quote: "Australian Aboriginal peoples developed a variety of regional cultures and languages, invented distinct artistic and religious traditions, and affected the environment of the continent in a number of ways through hunting, fire farming, and the introduction of the dog."
Quote: "Technologies for warfare and hunting like the boomerang and spear were constructed of natural materials, as were musical instruments like the didgeridoo."
Quote: "The 2022 Australian census recorded 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages used at home by some 76,978 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
Quote: "At the time of European colonisation, it is estimated that there were over 250 Aboriginal languages."
Quote: "It is now estimated that all but 13 remaining Indigenous languages are considered endangered."
Quote: "Aboriginal people today mostly speak English, with Aboriginal phrases and words being added to create Australian Aboriginal English (which also has a tangible influence of Indigenous languages in the phonology and grammatical structure)."
Quote: "The Indigenous population prior to European settlement was scarce, with estimates ranging widely from 318,000 to 1,000,000 in total."
Quote: "The majority lived in the south-east, centered along the Murray River."
Quote: "The First Fleet of British settlers arrived on instructions to 'live in amity and kindness' with the Aboriginal population."
Quote: "Nevertheless, a population collapse principally from disease followed European colonisation, beginning with a smallpox epidemic spreading three years after the arrival of Europeans."
Quote: "Massacres and frontier conflicts involving European settlers also contributed to depopulation."
Quote: "From the 19th to the mid-20th century, government policy removed many mixed heritage children from Aboriginal communities."
Quote: "which was judged 'genocidal' in the Bringing Them Home Report (1997)."