M1 - Learner Manual

Whilst the title of this course is Diploma of Applied Aboriginal Studies, its content includes references to Torres Strait Islander people and their perspectives as well. In contemporary Australia, there are occasions when the affairs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities include identical issues within such contexts as housing, health, education, employment, legal matters, politics and spirituality.

To differentiate on every aspect of culture between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this course would be impracticable. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population may sometimes be perceived as being homogeneous but that is not the case. Trainers and students will need to be cognisant of the fact that making generic statements about the culture and associated protocols of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population may lead to misconceptions due to the diversity of the Indigenous population. Statements such as Aboriginal people do not look directly at someone’s face when speaking to them because it’s a sign of respect, will not be valid for all Aboriginal people. However, there may be instances within the population when this statement may have some validity because of a specific context.

In its report entitled TAFE for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders published in November 1984, the National Aboriginal Education Committee (NAEC) constructed a model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society in order to provide support for its statements about education and training for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Accordingly, it suggested there were four  basic types of these communities. There may be suggestions that the four basic communities, as identified by the NAEC, may now be increased to include a fifth type in contemporary Australia (e.g. the homeless within each of the four communities).

Community 1: Traditionally Oriented

This community has the greatest geographical and social separation from the rest of Australian society although they will have some degree of economic connection. Examples of such communities may include those in Central Australia.

Community 2: Rural Non-traditional

This group also has considerable geographical and social separation from the rest of Australian society but is not so highly traditionally oriented as those in Community 1.  

Community 3: Urban

These communities are highly geographically and socially embedded in non-Indigenous society, but because of their community social organisation, they have considerable social separation. This group is likely to be less traditionally oriented than Community 1.

Community 4: Urban-Dispersed

This group is highly socially, economically and geographically embedded in the non-Indigenous Australian society and would also be expected to exhibit the least traditional orientation. This group may be found in the capital cities and major centres.

As the NAEC Report was compiled 40 years ago, it is expected that the four basic types may change due to the influence of such contexts as government initiatives, employment opportunities, access to affordable housing as well as health facilities and the effect of climate change.

In any program of study relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, there is a need to discuss fundamentals of culture. Culture is the very basis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and lifestyle.

If the person in the street was asked to define culture or what culture means to them, there would most likely be a very wide range of views as it may mean many things to different people. Definitions will vary with some being very short and succinct with others being quite extensive.

One definition of culture is:

the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

Another states:

·       Culture, behaviour peculiar to Homo sapiens, together with material objects used as an integral part of this behaviour. Thus, culture includes language, ideas, beliefs, customs, codes, institutions, tools, techniques, works of art, rituals, and ceremonies, among other elements.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/culture

 

 

Pause for thought ·       Thinking back to your childhood days, prior to your teenage years, did you identify as having Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage? ·       If no, why didn’t you identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? ·       If yes, how did you feel about being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

 

 

In order to consider what culture means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, another way of considering it is to look at some of its basic elements.

Of the many definitions of culture that have been derived, there are at least five elements to it and these are embraced across the many definitions. These elements are that culture:

·       changes

·       is learned

·       affects behaviour

·       is passed down from generation to generation, and

·       is shared

In turn, each of these elements are affected, or influenced by various contexts. These contexts may include: spirituality; social systems; historical events; health; education; employment; ecosystems; politics; legal matters/legislation; geography and technology.