The Sustainability Of Indigenous Communities

Country is precious, vital, and considered home to Aboriginals. To them, country is family, as they often describe it as if shares similar human characteristics. They care for country as they would to their brother or sister, and hold a certain responsibility to nurture country as it provides a sustained, well-nourished life. Each community member plays a role in the protection of country. Every member embraces a different, unique skills and when combined offer a greater life for everyone. Country is key to learning the essential hunting and gathering skills to live, feed and thrive off the land which is embedded in Indigenous culture.

“In what ways did Indigenous peoples resist the non-Indigenous settlement of Australia in the frontier period and how did non-Indigenous peoples retaliate? In your answer, discuss and analyse the initial and ongoing impact on Indigenous communities.”

For the last 200 years Indigenous people have been victims of discrimination, prejudice and disadvantage. Poor education, poor living conditions and general poverty are still overwhelming issues for a large percentage of our people and we remain ‘as a group, the most poverty stricken sector of the working class’ in Australia (Cuthoys 1983).

Archaeologists believe that aboriginals first came to Australia about 45, 000 years ago and were the only population of humans in Australia until the British invasion. There are about 500 different aboriginal groups each with their own language and territory and usually made up of several separate clans. The aboriginals of Australia are marginalised in today society. This marginalisation began right back during the British invasion where they were evicted from their own country, the stolen generation occurred and their health care, education, employment and housing was severely limited. Aboriginals generally live in poor conditions and choose unhealthy lifestyle choices

Australian government today recognises that educational policies regarding Aboriginal people cannot be made without considering social and economic policies aimed at improving outcomes for Aboriginal communities in general (TICHR, 2006). Main contemporary issues facing Aboriginal communities are proving land ownership, remoteness, health status, education and employment status and social attitude of Non-Aboriginal population towards the Aboriginal communities (Challenges facing the Indigenous communities today, n.d.). Tackling this issue is not a simple task: the document “National Indigenous Reform Agreement” (2010) which aims to improve outcomes for all Indigenous Australians recognizes that this process needs approach from different aspects, taking into account “seven key building blocks: Early Childhood, Schooling, Health, Economic Participation, Healthy Homes, Safe Communities, and Governance and Leadership” (as cited in DET Queensland,

Understanding how the historical factors have influenced Indigenous Australians helps operationalise the sociological imagination. The history of Indigenous people is important as many of the disadvantages they endure today is connected to the past. A historical awareness influences individuals to understand how organisations and institutions impact the health and wellbeing of a minority (Germov, 2002).The existence of Indigenous Australians well begins before the European invasion and colonisation of Australia. Aboriginal people were the native land owners, as they have been in Australia for over 60,000 years, prior to the British settlement in 1788.3 (workingwithindigenousaustralians.info, 2017). Indigenous Australians have been living off

Firstly, the aboriginal people do not have enough jobs and educational buildings to support the large population of young people. Almost half the aboriginal people in

To begin with, a clarification must be made. Although for the purposes of this assessment I will be using the term Indigenous Australians, it is not the most appropriate term to be using, as the technical definition of indigenous is ‘originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native’ (‘Indigenous’, 1987). The more correct term would be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

This essay will discuss the issues for Indigenous Australians only, this however, can be related to any culture, but for the purpose of this essay I will be referring to Indigenous Australians only.

Further, low income, unemployment, racism, lack of education further deteriorate their quality-of-life and well-being (Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall, & Bailie, 2007). Therefore “closing the gap” on indigenous disadvantage is crucial for archive equality in life expectancy, health status, education and employment between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians (Black & Richards, 2009).

Companies presently run by Aboriginal people include businesses in forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, transport, finance, arts and crafts, food, fashion, and computer hardware and software. Thus, the government should pay attention on this matter to help the economy of the Aboriginal people to improved their lives and to eliminate poverty. (Aboriginal Poverty in

The Stronger Futures aims to help the Indigenous persons of remote communities in the Northern Territory, but are the Indigenous free from

“The land is my mother. Like a human mother, the land gives us protection, enjoyment and provides our needs – economic, social and religious. We have a human relationship with the land: Mother, daughter, son. When the land is taken from us or destroyed, we feel hurt because we belong to the land and we are part of it.” This quote was written by Djinyini Gondarra, an Aboriginal that is working to towards enhancing the health and well-being of his fellow aboriginal people. Over the years, aboriginal people have been mistreated and have experienced a large magnitude of discriminations that range from health to social inequalities, which have led to many health-related issues that have made it very difficult for Aboriginal people to break the stigma and prejudice they continue to experience.

The scenario I have chosen is ‘Creating sustainability in Indigenous Communities’. There are many sustainability issues within Indigenous communities that I believe are caused by the Australian government. The government needs to thoroughly explore the fundamental issues within Indigenous communities; government funding and loss of land. These are two major reasons as to why Indigenous communities are not sustainable.

The World Health Organisation ‘dietary risks’ as the important reason of illness and death in Australia exceeding both smoking and obesity(Browne J, Gleeson D). Arming Indigenous people with quality education would afford them with opportunities to secure better jobs, ensuing quality life through higher incomes and good health. The education sector would need special improvements in the form of genuine cooperation and discussion between Education providers and Indigenous Australians. The foremost emphasis part must be generating alertness among the family as it applies strong inspiration on children’s attitude towards school and ensures attendance, specifically in rural areas. A right step towards this direction is the five year Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014, in which, education providers would close the educational gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students through six essential policy requirements. More on, government needs to take some steps with indigenous people. For example by proving free educational campaign and necessary education to all the indigenous students. The indigenous people are more dependent on the government schemes and welfare which resulting in increasing in poverty and unemployment. Why they are more dependent on government because they don’t have much employment opportunities. The AICC [Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (Indigenous Chamber)] was launch to encourage and help the interests of Indigenous Australians through economic individuality. Employment opportunities not only help them financially but they also support them to secure their future and helps to improve standard of living. For greater employment opportunities for Indigenous people. Governments and employers have to work together with them and