Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Different Cultures and Integration into Australian Healthcare System

The report discusses the lifestyle and culture of the indigenous Australians and gathers information of the health care system regarding the indigenous people of Australia. The culture of the people are acknowledged. The health problems they incurred due to the consequences of European invasion and its explanation with regards of the governmental policies undertaken for them is discussed. The report concludes with the measures adopted by the government to protect them from diseases and save their culture and practices.

Running Head: ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE
DIFFERENT CULTURES WITHIN ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER
PEOPLE FOUND IN AUSTRALIA AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE AUSTRALIAN
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

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Executive Summary:
The topic deals with the lifestyle and culture of the indigenous Australians. The aim of the report
is to gather information of the health care system regarding the indigenous people of Australia.
The culture of the people are acknowledged. The health problems they incurred due to the
consequences of European invasion and its explanation with regards of the governmental policies
undertaken for them is discussed. The report discusses the challenges faced by the aboriginals
and the chronic diseases they suffered. Deaths occurred as there was no medical supervision
present. The report concludes with the measures adopted by the government to protect them from
diseases and save their culture and practices.

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Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................3
Diversity of Indigenous cultures:.................................................................................................3
Historical issue of Aboriginal people:.........................................................................................4
Social issue of Aboriginal people:...............................................................................................4
Political issue of Aboriginal people:............................................................................................5
Economic issue of Aboriginal people:.........................................................................................5
Engagement with community services:.......................................................................................5
Engagement with health systems:................................................................................................6
Impact of European settlement:...................................................................................................6
Loss of land and culture:..............................................................................................................7
Racism and discrimination:.........................................................................................................7
Past and present power relations:................................................................................................7
Identification of cultural safety issue in healthcare:....................................................................8
Strategies for improvement of healthcare environment:.............................................................8
Influence of culture on work:......................................................................................................9
Legislative context for safety:.....................................................................................................9
Communication Techniques and Work Practices:...........................................................................9
Evaluation of effectiveness of cult:...............................................................................................10

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Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................10
References:....................................................................................................................................11
Introduction:
The report aims to discuss the health, social and cultural issues faced by the indigenous
Australians. The diversity of the people is acknowledged along with social, political, economic
and historical issues. Their engagement with the services provided by the government and its
consequences is also discussed. The impact of European civilization and its negative effects on
the health and mind of the people, effect in their culture and lifestyle is also delivered. The
measures taken by the government to improve their condition and its implications is also
addressed. The challenges faced by the indigenous people and their sufferings along with coping
up strategies are also provided.
Discussion:
Diversity of Indigenous cultures:
There is a rich diversity among the indigenous people of Australia (Parnell, Morris &
Jacobs, 2017). They retain their cultural identity irrespective of the place they live in whether it
is an urban, regional or remote area. There is a huge diversity of cultures, languages, kinship
structures and their approach towards life. The people are of tribal background. At the time of
colonization, there were near about 250 different indigenous languages like ngarrindjeri, pama-
nyungan as well as Tasmanian languages (Verdon & McLeod, 2015). They had many spiritual
frameworks and majorly followed Christian religion. They had unique musical instruments and
folk style ceremonies. The people are famous for bark painting and developing fibrecraft.

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Historical issue of Aboriginal people:
It is said that the indigenous people of Australia are the descendants of African
population. They migrated to Australia in search of food, shelter and land. Recent studies said
that the colonization of Australia happened due to boat hopping by these indigenous people. The
people lived in Australian island as hunters and gatherers for food. The population was initially
mobile and as seasons changed along with preferences, they started to live in permanent
settlements and started agriculture in some areas for food. The British colonization changed their
lifestyle and way of living (Malaspinas et. al., 2016). The people were captivated and were
subjects of brutal processes. Their land was taken away from them for agriculture. The women
were captivated for prostitution. The children were taken away from their families to do work.
Another major consequence was European epidemic that the people suffered and in many cases
were fatal. They suffered from chronic diseases like tuberculosis, small pox, measles, chicken
pox, cholera, whooping cough, influenza and many more. This deteriorated their health.
Social issue of Aboriginal people:
Social factors are those which has a great impact on health of the indigenous inhabitant
throughout their life. It also includes certain factors like housing, education, healthcare facilities
and support from their family. The infant unborn of parents who take in high drugs and intake
high amount of alcohol, have low income and low education, would be born and brought up into
an environment with a negative approach towards life. The initial days of childhood consists of
smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. This would lead to obesity with
malnutrition (Lindstedt et. al., 2017). This behavior will continue throughout their life and will
become a part of daily activity. The societal adversities will have a devastating effect on the
child’s mind which would influence the individual to take massive steps towards destruction or

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suicidal attempts. To improve the situation and mental condition of the people, the government
of Australia has taken healthcare measures (Altman, Biddle & Hunter 2018). They were able to
understand that these indigenous people were continuous subjects of inequalities. Social factors
are also characterized be race, sex, religion.
Political issue of Aboriginal people:
The policies are formulated by the government of Australia and have devastating effects
on the indigenous people of the country. The policies have segregated the power and facilities
between the indigenous and non- indigenous people of the country. This has lead to health issues
and more suffering by the aboriginals (Lindstedt et. al., 2017). Governments have always failed
to address the issues of the aboriginal subjects. The economic policies has also lead to inequality.
Denial of human rights to a certain part of the country interrupts self determination of the
inhabitants.
Economic issue of Aboriginal people:
People from poor financial background faced it difficult to maintain their basic
requirements. They are at a greater risk of developing chronic ailments like respiratory diseases,
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney diseases and mental health problems. Historically,
occupation, education and income played an important role in determining one’s position in
society (Altman, Biddle & Hunter 2018). Better occupation leads to more income and better
privileges and good education. This improves the individual access to basic amenities in the
society and health care facilities. The individual is able to live a healthy and disease free life.

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Engagement with community services:
The indigenous people of Australia needs to get engaged with the governmental policies
and facilities so that the distance between the indigenous and non-indigenous people shortens.
The government has adopted certain policies so that the aboriginal inhabitants can take part in
healthcare systems, in education and natural resource management like water and land
conservation and their judicial use. The engagement has led to the interaction between the people
and change of thoughts and opinions among the people. This has increased the potential to
improve their way of living and strengthen their education.
Engagement with health systems:
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people suffer from many types of diseases and die
at a younger age as compared to the natives of Australia. The occurrence of disease among the
indigenous people are higher due to invasion of the British. They experience disability and
reduced quality of life because of their poor health (Larkins et. al., 2016). Their engagement with
the healthcare systems has improved their lifestyle and decreased the chances of getting a
disease. Children were being vaccinated and had less chances of developing fatal diseases. The
women received special healthcare privileges after delivery of a child. They were able to access
primary health care services and improve their health (Larkins et. al., 2016).
Impact of European settlement:
Invasion of British has lead to a devastating consequence of the aboriginal inhabitants of
the country. There was a series of epidemics of European diseases which the inhabitants suffered
from. The diseases were measles, small pox and tuberculosis. By 19th century, small pox was of
major concern as it was principal cause for the deaths of the people. It is estimated that the small
pox epidemic has caused near about 90 percent death of the tribal people. Another impact of

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British colonization was the captivation of land and water resources which lead to conversion of
lands for grazing and agriculture (Malaspinas et. al., 2016). Aboriginal women were also forced
to participate in prostitution which led to many sexually transmitted diseases.
Loss of land and culture:
The land is the mother of the aboriginals. To them, it is a spiritual part which cannot be
segregated from them. It provides them with all the resources they need and to live. Their
cultural ceremonies and various activities were carried out on their mother land. There was a
prevalence of ecological balance between them and their mother nature. But the colonization by
the Europeans led to the dispossession of the land to the hands of the colonizers (Malaspinas et.
al., 2016). This led to disruption of the practicing cultures of the Australian natives. Their mother
land was snatched away for the purpose of cultivation and grazing. They lost their practice of
ceremonial activities. The losing of their language, dignity, pride led to low esteem and
confidence and depression among the natives prevailed which made mentally sick.
Racism and discrimination:
The indigenous people of Australia face discrimination due to their complexion and
behavior. They have a reduced access to the fundamental rights of education, employment,
medical care, housing and even food. Deprivation from the daily needs has posed a threat to their
health. They suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, psychological distress. Common people
avoid the indigenous people on public transport and they also witness verbal abuse and are also
insulted publicly. Researchers have also found that people throw various substances towards the
aboriginals as a matter of amusement. They are assaulted in each and every point of their life
(Racism and Discrimination, 2019).

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Past and present power relations:
For thousands of years, the aboriginal inhabitants of Australia were thought to be the
masters of their land as they were the only inhabitants. They were able to exercise their culture
and freedom in their own way (Power of the Australians, 2019).The surroundings around them
was in control of them. But this situation changed when colonization occurred. All their power
was snatched away by the European colonists and was deprived of their own resources.
Snatching of powers from them made them lack their ideology and economic bases in their own
country. The incorporation of British culture and habits lead way to the introduction of new
animals, plants and diseases.
Identification of cultural safety issue in healthcare:
Availability and accessibility of healthcare requires an efficient, financial and responsible
health care system along with a linguistic similarity. Cultural barriers which pose a threat
towards treatment are different languages, medical methodologies or gender and sex
misconceptions. These barriers lead to unsatisfactory results of the healthcare services.
Difference in beliefs and faiths of the indigenous people, wrong interpretation and understanding
of the medical benefits are other causes for not availing the medical services provided by the
Australian government to these indigenous people. Following ancient customs was the main
priority of the people rather than focusing on health care needs (Li., 2017).
Strategies for improvement of healthcare environment:
Many approaches have been adopted by the government of Australia to provide basic
amenities and services to the indigenous inhabitants of Australia. Many communities have
established relationships with the aboriginals and maintained a good network and service for
them. The hospital nurses and staffs have been trained so that they can coordinate with the

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culture and behavior of the people (Health issues center, 2019). The people were provided with
education and motivation so that they understand the need of medical care. They could avoid the
sufferings and death of their family members. They were provided financial help for access to
health care benefits. Indigenous Australians are 1.5 times more vulnerable to diseases as
compared to natives of Australia.
Influence of culture on work:
Cultural safety is a concept where people feel safe and work independently producing
good services. A surrounding which is spiritually, socially, physically and emotionally safe and
sound, the people can give their best to the work (Altman & Markham, 2019). There should not
be any kind of assault or insult or identity denial which would have a negative impact on their
mind and inhibit them from working. The culture should teach people to respect each other in a
work place. Trust needs to get developed in a workplace.
Legislative context for safety:
There are many laws and actions taken for the indigenous people of Australia. The laws
have been passed after the European colonization for the betterment of the people’s condition
(Winn & Tacon, 2016). The Aboriginal Land Rights Act is an act for the right of the people to
use their mother land according to their needs. The Aboriginal Heritage Act was passed for the
provision and protection of their culture and ethnicity.
Communication Techniques and Work Practices:
The indigenous people of Australia do not speak English and have a different dialect for
communication. Communication with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be
carried out by non verbal techniques like gestures, hand movements and eye contact. Body

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language is another component of delivering message. Diagrams, models, images, videos can be
used by the medical professionals to assert their decisions on the Australians. Traditional
languages should not be used by the medical professionals if they are not comfortable and used
to that language as that might lead to inconvenient situations (Hunt, 2013).
Evaluation of effectiveness of cult:
There are very less evidence and materials to support the indigenous Australians. The programs
undertaken by the Australian government was not able to imply its methods on these people. The
main limitation was language and education. But slowly this problem was overcome by some
initiatives. They were able to implement health care facilities to these people so that their
longevity increases and live a healthy life devoid of any kind of diseases (aifs.gov.au, 2019).
Conclusion:
Thus it can be concluded that the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander people were
migrants and very different people with unique cultures and practices. They had a contemporary
life in Australia with diversity in all of their aspects but unfortunately faced displacement due to
European invasion. That meant the survival was snatched away and tortured. Such experience
had devastating effects on the health and social well being of the individuals. The history of the
Australian indigenous people was acknowledged along with the health conditions and present
interventions.

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References:
aifs.gov.au (2019). Evaluating the outcomes of programs for Indigenous families and
communities. [online] Child Family Community Australia. Available at:
https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/evaluating-outcomes-programs-indigenous-families-
and-communities [Accessed 21 Jul. 2019].
Altman, J., & Markham, F. (2019). Basic Income and Cultural Participation for Remote-Living
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Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
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ISLANDER COMMUNITIES [Ebook].
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