Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History and Cultures

       Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived on this continent before European domination; therefore, they are the First Australian (Healthy Australia, 2012). It is important to have respectful behaviour regarding the history of Indigenous people. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] History Curriculum aims for student engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures while developing their awareness of the significant role of Indigenous people in Australian society by examining keys policies and political movements over the last two centuries (2011).

(Leo, 2013)

 

     (Desouza, 2013)

        These maps address issues at the heart of the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History and Culture. Comparing these maps shows a lack of understanding and knowledge about the true ownership of the land and the significance of the role Indigenous history plays in modern Australia.

     The European settlers ignored or denied Indigenous histories as they had no evident record of their past (Australian History Literature, 2013). The Indigenous people were thought of as the lowest of humankind (Korff, n.d.). This quote clearly shows how the settlers saw the land of Australia in the nineteenth century.

“A land without antiquities, with one

And only one, poor spot of classic ground,

(That on which Cook first landed) – where, instead

Of heart communing with ancestral relicks,

Which purge the pride while they exalt the mind,

We’ve nothing left but anticipation…” (Field, cited in Davidson, 1822, p. 37-38)

       In the past the existence of Indigenous history was ignored; however, they have a long and rich oral history that has sustained their culture for thousands of years (McKenzie, 2013). It is important to reconsider how Australian history is written, told and taught. Indigenous history cannot be ignored if Australian history is to be truly complete.    

    

       “It’s a long road we have come and it’s a long road we can go. We have to walk together and talk together. If you never listen to me, I will never listen to you. If you walk in front of me, I will not follow you. Walk side by side and let’s get there” (Ratara, cited in Healthy Australia, (2012).

 Reference List

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2011). Cross-

curriculum priorities. Retrieved 24 May 2013 from

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/History/Cross-Curriculum-Priorities

Australian History Literature. (2013). The history of denial: the truth is out there.

Retrieved 23 May 23, 2013 from http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/

art/literature/the-history-of-denial-the-truth-is-out-there/

Davidson, G. (2000). The use and abuse of Australian History. St. Leonards: NWS.

Allen & Unwin.

Desouza, R. (2013). Territorial divide of Indigenous Australia [Image]. Retrieved 26

May 2013 from http://www.ruthdesouza.com/category/colonialism/

Healthy Australia. (2012). An introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander health cultural protocols and perspectives.

 South Melbourne: VIC. The Royal Australian Collage of General practitioners.  

Leo, R. (2013). Invasion or settlement [PDF file]. CR181 lecture, Christian Heritage

College. Retrieved 26 May 2013 from http://chc.moodle.com.au/

pluginfile.php/38036/mod_folder/content/0/Lecture%20%237%20%20Invasio

n%20or%20Settlement%20-%20Pastoral%20Growth.pdf?forcedownload=1

Korff, J. (n.d.). Stereotypes and prejudice of ‘Aboriginal Australia’. Retrieved 26 May

2013 fromhttp://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/stereotypes-prejudice-of-aboriginal-australia