The Indigenous Populations of Australia

After too many years, when the Australian government decided to grant Aboriginal people with fully rights of freedom again in their country, the number of indigenous people in Australia jumped an amazingly 33 per cent from the 1991 to 1996 census. final

By the mid 1800's, the violence, disease and dispossession resulting from colonisation had caused a dramatic drop in the Indigenous population. For many Indigenous people, the cost of survival was very high, as they lost their culture, family, land, language and independence in the name of 'protection'.

“From the surface one may look upon Australia as being the ‘lucky county’ however when explored deeper Kayleigh Richmond came to the conclusion that this so called ‘lucky country’ isn’t all that ‘lucky’ for marginalized groups in Australia, the literature of these marginalized groups in Australia certainly substantiates this point”.

The incidence rates varied depending on the type of cancer. Non-indigenous people had higher rates for:

In the early 19th century, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders were afforded no rights or freedom due to their culture and race. If you were to be born an Aboriginal, by law you couldn’t eat in restaurants, marry without permission, swim in public pools, enter pubs or even have the right to vote (ref). Eventually the government recognised the demands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for equality and social justice and acknowledged their right to make decisions about matters affecting their own lives. In recognition however of the past injustices faced, Australia’s Prime Minister of 2008, Kevin Rudd, presented an apology speech as a sign of respect to all the Indigenous people and Torres Strait Islander’s. In doing so, this humble and righteous action has broken down the racial barrier between Aboriginals and Australians. Ultimately, promoting the rights of indigenous people and acknowledging their significance to the Australian community in way that fosters human equality.

Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Island cultures have the oldest living history in the world. They trace back at least 50,000 years and some argue closer to 65,000 years. Events, policies and attitudes of the past have impacted this rich and diverse culture. Through progressive movements and other agencies of social, cultural and political change, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been inspired by hope for change to respond to challenges in ways that promote wellbeing, with varying degrees of success.

to refer to the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is someone who identifies themselves as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, they can also be accepted within an Aboriginal abd/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Australia is home to various, distinct indigenous population. The Waradjuri is New South Wales and the Noongar in Western Australia. Aboriginal populations are often grouped together and reffered to as “Aborigines” however, some consider the term pejorative. Legally, the native populations of Australia are reffered to as “Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.”

Traditionally Indigenous Australians main form of learning was through practice, art and music using their native language and culture (Foley, 2010, p. 176). Indigenous Australians have been discriminated against, abused and forced to forgo their traditional way of life through assimilation policies. Furthermore, Indigenous Australians were neglected in obtaining any form of education, such as basic literacy and numeracy (Foley, 2010, pp. 180-182). Inequalities for Indigenous Australians continue, creating a common stereotype in today’s society (De Plevitz, 2007, p. 66). It is the history of disposition Indigenous Australians have faced through constant degradation that formed this stereotype (Phillips, 2005). Wyn (2009)

The Aboriginal population also has its own diversity, as groups of people live in different environments and have different language and customs, developed to meet their particular needs. Where you say the Acknowledgement of country, thanking them for being on their land.

The acknowledgement that the Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the land and the proceeding acts put into legislation where both historic and monumental as they took the first steps in creating a more positive relationship between no only the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of Australia but also with the government. Unfortunately, this acknowledgement has also fuelled criticism from non-Indigenous Australians and some politicians due to a lack of understanding and knowledge in the area. The first common negative misconception is that the issue of land rights are not relevant to today’s society and consequently shadows the more important and practical problems faced by the Aboriginal people. However, their people lost a colossal amount when the land was colonised this included losing their rights to the land and due to their connection to the land this will always be a relevant issue in the eyes of the Indigenous people of Australia.

Australia has one of the world's best health care system, to be exact Australia has been ranked 7th overall compared to the rest of the world [Australia 7th most efficient healthcare system worldwide | Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association. 2015]. As citizens, we get the privilege of free healthcare whenever we need it however this can't say about the indigenous population. The indigenous people of Australia tend to die at much younger age than other Australians. One of the contributing factors is access to health services. 65% of death among indigenous people occurred before the age of 65, compared with 19% of deaths among other Australians during the 5-year period 2008–2012. So what are the causes of death amongst the indigenous population?

The term Aboriginal Tribes was given to the Aboriginies living in groups by European settlers

Aboriginal people have lived in this land for approximately 60000 years , but there are studies that suggests there could have been aboriginal people in Australia for up to 120000 years. By the time the British arrived in Australia in 1788 there were approximately 260 different aboriginal groups speaking around 500 different dialects. Aboriginals lived a semi-nomadic life, moving around an area according to the seasons, and because of this, material things weren’t too important for them, at least not as much as family, relationships, community and spirituality. According to their beliefs, land has a very important connection with their ancestors.

I would love to go and visit their land one day, it's filled with many riches. They go to that plentiful land for food, medicines and traditional rituals importance. I come to understand flowers and plants is important parts and meaning of Gamo Ethiopians lands of dwelling. They even take great care of their livestock with certain types of plants. Livestock nurture and help the universe by nourishing it like cows when they manure on the ground that cause grass to grow making beautiful green grass. They all seem to have ritualistic and beliefs in the supernatural traditions Aboriginal Australians (the ancient painting carvings from the ancestors holds spiritual knowledge), Papua Guinea (praying to the hire spirits planting seeds in the land)