Australian Aboriginal culture
Aboriginal culture in Australia is not easy to discover. While it's easy to find Aboriginal Didgeridoo players in public places, this is not what represents Australian Aboriginal culture anymore.
Two of my flatmates cannot recall having learnt about Aboriginal culture at school. Both are over 30. —Personal communication with an Australian school teacher
Learning about Aboriginal culture involves a you becoming active. Thank you that you came here, because many people, specifically Australians themselves, lack interest in exploring and learning about the world of Aboriginal culture.
Learn more about Australian Indigenous culture
Select from the following categories to learn more about a specific field of Aboriginal culture:
arts autonomy economy education health history land language law/justice media people politics spirituality sport
How much do you know about Aboriginal culture? Take the Aboriginal knowledge quiz!
What can you do to support Aboriginal culture?
Don't underestimate the contribution you can make towards understanding Aboriginal culture. Every little bit you do might be seen and acknowledged, as the following two stories show which I experienced myself:
Adventures with a little flag
Since a long time I have an Aboriginal flag sewn to my backpack. I'm using my backpack a lot, for shopping as well as for travelling. These are stories which I've experienced just because I show the Aboriginal flag on it.
Silent acknowledgement
One day I was in a fish and chips shop and had just finished my meal when a young teenage pair entered. Something about them told me they were Aboriginal people although their skin colour was very fair. Was it that they scarcely spoke? Their shyness? Their dark eyes? I couldn't tell. I just knew.
When I rose and strapped my backpack to my back I saw from the corner of my eyes how the young man gave his companion a dig and pointed to my backpack. I paid and left the shop.
The original Aborigine
Months later, with the same backpack, I was getting a train ticket from one of the vending machines. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and looked into the face of an Aboriginal man.
"What does that flag stand for, brother?" he inquired.
"It shows my interest in and respect for Aboriginal culture," I replied.
"Good on yer," he said. "Look at me: I'm the original Aborigine!" And walked away following his mates.
An unexpected bus encounter
I'm sitting on the bus on my way home, backpack in front of me, reading the Koori Mail. As I look up a young man is smiling at me, nodding towards my backpack as our eyes cross.
It turns out that his grandfather has a quarter Aboriginal blood in his veins, a fact which wasn't revealed until his parents did a thorough family tree research. And you wouldn't think it either, because this young man has curly, blonde hair and eyes which look grey-green. Most of his ancestors are English or Scottish, he admits.
The discovery of his Indigenous heritage hasn't changed much in his daily life but raised his awareness for Aboriginal culture. He's one of the many part-Indigenous people who do not openly talk about it.
These little incidents are nothing much at all. However, you see that by displaying your support you will be noticed. And I'm sure that Aboriginal people will acknowledge your efforts just as this young couple and the 'original' Aborigine did.
Here are lists of things which could inspire you further:
Learn
- Get and read books. Which?
- Get the Indigenous perspective on news: Log onto Koori Mail and Indigenous Times. More...
- Make friends with Aboriginal people and hear their stories.
- Buy and listen to Indigenous music. Which?
- Attend films and performances. Which?
- Travel Australia. Visit places and get to know this (your own?) country.
- Research web sites and search on the Internet (you did this to come here - well done!)
- Educate yourself about Australian history.
- Learn what Aboriginal nation you travel or live in, what language was or still is spoken.
Support
- Buy only authentic Aboriginal goods.
- Book Aboriginal-owned or operated tours.
- Attend and promote Aboriginal galleries, plays, dances and events.
- Employ Indigenous performers and speakers for your business and community functions.
- Support (or book a course at) Tranby Aboriginal College (www.tranby.edu.au)
- Subscribe to the Koori Mail newspaper.
- Participate in NAIDOC Week and other events. Which?
- Donate to Aboriginal Social Justice groups or causes.
- Volunteer to work in Aboriginal communities or organizations. (See www.icv.com.au)
Spread
- Tell family, friends, workmates and neighbours what you've found out.
- Don't be afraid to share what you've learned.
- Prepare a presentation in clubs, schools or churches.
- Respond to positive or negative media.
- Participate in initiatives.
- Create a personal web site (such as this one).
Advocate
- Continually acknowledge country and the traditional owners in all formal gatherings.
- Write letters to the editor if you see any injustice in our system.
- Lobby to have your kids' schools incorporate more Indigenous history into their curriculum.
- If you run a business, employ Indigenous staff or train an Indigenous apprentice.
- Encourage Local Councils to create and implement policies for Aboriginal representation or employment.
- Create cultural awareness programs.
- Speak up for the rights of Indigenous people.
- Participate in protest marches for Aboriginal rights.
- Get books or the Koori Mail into the library.
- Invite Aboriginal people to do presentations or talks in schools or at community events.
- Watch out that Aboriginal people are consulted.
- Lobby to have the Aboriginal flag flown next to the Australian flag at all times.
Join and change
- Help Indigenous communities as a volunteer (see www.icv.com.au).
- Join local or state Reconciliation Groups or related bodies.
- Join the Friends of Tranby Aboriginal College, Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre or other groups.
- Have information stalls at public events or festivals.
- Support your local Indigenous community group.
- Educate the community about past and present statistics and true stories about positive change.
- Organise educational courses or public events.
Don't let disappointments discourage you.
Healing in this country requires a lot of love, courage and honesty and the belief it is possible. Where there is true care, there is very little division. —Kanyini official website
Are you an Aboriginal person? Get involved!
I for one was most impressed by what Aboriginal people told me of their own personal experiences.
If you are an Aboriginal person I invite you to tell me your story. Any story will do, when you think it makes sense to tell them to others so that they can learn and respect Indigenous culture.
Contact me and we can find a way how your story helps towards true reconciliation.
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The author of this site wishes to recognise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land in which we live and work.