Aboriginal Australia Information Deficit Syndrome (AAIDS)

Are you suffering from the Aboriginal Australia Information Deficit Syndrome? Take the following test to find out.

Aboriginal Australia Information Deficit Syndrome Test

Name 5 to 10 American Indian nations (tribes):

Name 2 to 4 black politicians or actors:

In the test above you probably knew some American nations—Cherokee, Comanche, Sioux, or Apache, for example. Now, how many Australian Aboriginal nations do you know? Hint: You have 600 to choose from.

How many actors or politicians did you remember? Which countries do they come from? Did you know any Aboriginal Australians?

If you couldn't find a single Aboriginal nation, politician or actor you most likely suffer from what I call the Aboriginal Australia Information Deficit Syndrome (AAIDS). Children infect themselves usually at school to become lifelong sufferers unless they take action later in their lives.

Schools fail Australians

Until quite recently white Australian students received inadequate schooling about the oldest chapter of the history of their own country: Aboriginal culture.

History lessons started with Captain Cook's landing brushing over 50,000 years of Indigenous culture. Young adults are unable to engage in discussions about Aboriginal people, older adults are caught in stereotypes which prevent any dialogue with Indigenous Australians.

If you are Australian, do you know who Eddie Mabo is? Where would I find Anangu people, where Koories? Did Aboriginal people build permanent shelters? What is the name of the latest successful feature film made by an Aboriginal director?

No information available

But not only schools fail Australians. Australian media eagerly reports the latest Aboriginal binge drinking incident or child abuse case forgetting that the same happens—sometimes worse—in non-Indigenous families.

Not a single Australian newspaper, printed or online, dedicates a section to positive news about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Their successes, their achievements, their stars in the arts and sport, remain anonymous and distant. Rarely succeeds an Aboriginal person to rise above the mist of exclusively white information to shine in the national, and international, light. Cathy Freeman, Aboriginal athlete, achieved that with her Sydney Olympics 2000 win. But how many know what she's doing today?

Where are the black actors on television, in shows and mainstream feature films? Not only would they help Indigenous people build their self-confidence, but also non-Indigenous Australians to learn about and appreciate the talents of their peer minority.

Politicians think three years ahead

"I clearly recollect the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Gough Whitlam, standing before 60 of us Aboriginal people and asking that we tell him what we wanted from his government rather than 'what we think is best for you'. No other Prime Minister had ever made that statement and nobody since, including Kevin Rudd," says Chicka Dixon, Aboriginal activist and humanitarian.

When John Howard, Prime Minister from 1996 to 2007, was in danger of losing office he initiated the Northern Territory Intervention. He justified military assignments with the 'emergency' of child abuse. Meanwhile it has been clearly established that the whole intervention, carried on by the next government, was an election stunt not designed to help Aboriginal people at all.

How can you heal AAIDS?

Schools, media and politicians failed to recognise that there is a hunger to learn about Aboriginal culture. It is not before people start seeking themselves and research Australian Indigenous culture that they discover a treasure hidden from them for so long.

Many other nations could be their role model. Besides Australians, this website gets most hits from North Americans, Germans, Canadians, Britons, New Zealanders and French people. Many of these nations have their own Indigenous minority.

So what can you do to feed your hungry mind?

If you thought that Aboriginal culture waits behind closed doors I have to disappoint you. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are happy to share their culture, knowledge, thoughts and opinions with you.

To cure AAIDS you need just three things: Genuine interest, patience and respect.

I know a woman who has learned an enormous amount about Aboriginal culture in just two years. She participated in Aboriginal events, joined classes and read a lot. She was a sponge for Aboriginal information and became a well-known person within her circles. She is German.

Australians have all it needs to quench their thirst at their doorstep. You can join the Aboriginal crowed on Australia Day, ask questions to the Aboriginal curator at your state's art gallery, buy books written by Aboriginal authors or get DVDs where Indigenous directors tell about their lives and problems through film.

If Aboriginal people sense that your interest is genuine they open up a whole new world for you.

But don't forget to pay your respect. Take of the 'show-me-how-to-fix-it' mentality white people have for far too long applied to their relationships with Indigenous people. Practice 'deep listening'.

Start your journey here and now

Thank you for reading to the end. I have a passion for Aboriginal people and their culture and spend hours to better and add to this website.

Shake off your Aboriginal Australia Information Deficit Syndrome. Go and speak to Indigenous people. Ask them how they thought about the apology. Tell them you are sorry too. Tell them you want to learn and you'll put a smile into their heart.

Start here. Start now. Be a healer.

Test your knowledge: How much do you really know about Aboriginal Australia? Find out in this 10 question test.