The indigenous people of Australia Aborigines are Australias

The indigenous people of Australia

Ø Aborigines are Australia's indigenous people. Recent government statistics counted approximately 400, 000 aboriginal people, or about 2% of Australia's total population. Ø Though they comprise 500– 600 distinct groups, aboriginal people possess some unifying links. Among these are strong spiritual beliefs that tie them to the land; a tribal culture of storytelling and art; and, like other indigenous populations, a difficult colonial history.

The Dreamtime Ø Aboriginal spirituality entails a close relationship between humans and the land. Aborigines call the beginning of the world the "Dreaming, " or "Dreamtime. " Ø In the "Dreamtime, " aboriginal "Ancestors" rose from below the earth to form various parts of nature including animal species, bodies of water, and the sky. Ø Unlike other religions, however, aboriginal belief does not place the human species apart from or on a higher level than nature.

The Dreamtime Ø Aboriginal spirituality entails a close relationship between humans and the land. Aborigines call the beginning of the world the "Dreaming, " or "Dreamtime. " Ø In the "Dreamtime, " aboriginal "Ancestors" rose from below the earth to form various parts of nature including animal species, bodies of water, and the sky. Ø Unlike other religions, however, aboriginal belief does not place the human species apart from or on a higher level than nature.

Part 2 Stolen Generation

Stolen Generation Ø This explores the policy of forcibly removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children from their families. Ø The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families was official government policy from 1909 to 1969. However the practice took place both before and after this period. Governments, churches and welfare bodies all took part. Ø It is estimated that 100, 000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and raised in homes or adopted by white families, up until the 1960 s. Ø The policy was designed to ‘assimilate’ or ‘breed out’ Indigenous people. These children became known as the ‘Stolen Generations’.

Stolen Generation Ø Under the White Australia and assimilation policies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were ‘not of full blood’ were encouraged to become assimilated into the broader society so that eventually there would be no more Indigenous people left. Ø Children were taken from Aboriginal parents so they could be brought up ‘white’ and taught to reject their Aboriginality.

What shocked you the most? What do you think we can do to help make things better?

Has this made you see Australia in a different way? Why?