Support & help Australian Aboriginal culture

If you're interested in other cultures you might have asked yoursef: What can you do to support Aboriginal culture?

Don't underestimate the contribution you can make towards understanding Indigenous culture. Every little bit you do might be seen and acknowledged, as the following 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.

The hairdresser's story

My backpack is sitting in the corner while I get a haircut. The hairdresser notices the Aboriginal flag and asks me if I was of Aboriginal descent.

As he learns that I am not he tells me that his wife comes from the Wakka Wakka people near Brisbane. She is keeping her culture strong, educating their sons to learn.

He says that his wife's father is "very dark". They don't travel to Brisbane that often though.

Activities to support Aboriginal culture

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.
• Watch the Living Black program on SBS which runs from March to November.
• Buy and listen to Indigenous music. Which?
• Attend plays or performances
• Watch Aboriginal films and movies. 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.

[Germany is a land where] more people are interested in Aboriginal culture and living conditions than here in Australia.—Geoff Kitney, International Editor, Sydney Morning Herald [1]

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 groups like Australians for National Title an Reconciliation (ANTaR) or Aboriginal social justice groups.
• 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).

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

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

• Join GenerationOne, an initiative aiming to help Indigenous Australians.
• Help Indigenous communities as a volunteer (see www.icv.com.au).
• Join local or state Reconciliation Groups or related bodies.
• Google for 'Aboriginal support group' and join one in your area.
• 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.

For too long, we've failed to act because we've always looked elsewhere—blaming government, other communities, even the Indigenous people themselves. And we've relied too heavily on short term handouts, failing to see that they only removed incentive from people and communities in the short term, while destabilising them in the long term. —Andrew Forrest, founder of the GenerationOne initiative [2]

Don't let disappointments discourage you.

[1] 'Kontinent am Ende der Welt', Süddeutsche Zeitung, 2/7/2002 [2] www.generationone.org.au, newsletter 12/4/2009