Indigenous Australians

The aboriginal people have been in Australia for a very longtime. Some anthropologists say that they may have been for 100,000 years. Over such a long period of time a diverse and interesting culture has developed, one not to be found anywhere else in the world.

Aboriginal people explain their identity and history through stories that are passed from generation to generation. These stories of the ‘dreamtime’ and are often represented in aboriginal art and dance. The stories demonstrate the very close bond that aboriginal people have with their environment. It is often described as a spiritual connection which is the foundation of their deep respect for the land.
The arrival of Europeans brought great conflict and hardship to the aboriginal people. They were forced from their traditional lands and in some parts of Australia in particular Tasmania tribes were slaughtered to extinction.

Most Australians today recognize that the aboriginal people have been treated badly throughout Australia’s short history. Aboriginal people in many parts of the country no longer live in their traditional lands and their cultural identity has been lost. Aboriginal people who have re-located to large cities in search of employment find it very difficult to assimilate to European ways and often find themselves caught in a cycle of poverty and homelessness.

In recognition of these problems the Australian government has established programs of reconciliation. These programs aim to address the many problems that Aboriginal people experience, and also recognize and value and uniqueness of the Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal artworks are now recognized and admired world wide.

Reconciliation is promoted in schools and workplaces with a view to generating a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and tradition.