Australian Aboriginals: Injustice, Racism, and Cultural Sensitivity

This article discusses the injustice, racism, and cultural sensitivity issues faced by the Australian Aboriginals. It also provides insights on how to prepare oneself to work with this community.

Running header: AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL 1
The Australian Aboriginals
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 2
The Australian Aboriginals
The program ‘The Tall Man’ shows several gruesome events happening to the people of
the Aboriginal community of great palm island in Australia. The video and media coverage
discloses how murder, injustice, racism, impunity of the government, false accusations of
innocent people, violence, humiliation, and corruption in the law enforcing system affected the
indigenous people of Palm Island. Such occurrences are so disgusting in society. In fact, upon
watching the video, it would be irrational to hesitate provision of gloomy and sad emotions
toward the manner in which individuals are being treated in the society today.
In the program, a 36 years old man called Cameron Doomadgee from Aboriginal
community was arrested for being drunk and making public noise and brutally killed by a
policeman named as Christopher Hurley (mediasite.jcu.edu.au, 2016, 00:32:00-00:42:00). This is
an unjust and irrational act among authorities. This resulted in riots after which an indigenous
activist Mr. Wotton, was falsely accused based on racism and jailed for stirring violence.
Following this incidence, it is clear that unjust and human exploitation based on racism is
dominating in society today. However, the Federal Court ruling condemned Queensland Police
for breaking the Racial Discrimination Act and compensated an amount equivalent to $220 000
to Mr. Wotton and his family (NITV, 2017). With respect to the court ruling, it is satisfying to
note that the court system empress accountability.
However, the entire narrative does not promote justice and equality as the state
government, and the Queensland Police Service appealed the court's orders afterward (Lily,
Sally, and Laura, 2018). Such an act displays an autocratic kind of governance. The president of
the Queensland Police Union, Mr. Leavers, protects the police officers claiming that they are not
racist. He said the police were working in difficult situations hence they are under pressure. Also,

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 3
he was very mad at the compensation payment. This clearly shows how impunity dominates
government officials. Yet not all government officials are autocratic in nature. For instance, three
parliamentarians impress a humanitarian act by criticizing the government's intention to appeal
the decision made by the federal court because the appeal could be hurtful to the community
members (Ella, 2017). The media coverage also shows police raiding the home of Yvette
Nicholas, a 19-year-old and frightening them by pointing guns at them then taking their uncle
and aunty. This is a big sign of humiliation.

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 4
Preparation for Working with Aboriginal Community in Australia
The Palm Island community is more sensitive to their culture. They have diverse values
and beliefs that provide a sense of meaning and uniqueness or identity. In fact, the Aboriginals
are deeply rooted within their traditions and religion. For instance, the religion of the Aboriginals
does not permit engagement in western medication culture (Waterworth, Dimmock, Pescud,
Braham, & Rosenberg, 2016). Such beliefs have a fundamental implication on the delivery of
services and the provision of extension services to such a community. Thus, the Aboriginals are
the most disadvantaged community in Australia. The community is faced by most of the health
challenges like obesity and diabetes (Towns, Cooke, Rysdale, & Wilk, 2014).
Furthermore, the traditions of the community tend to be conflicting with the British laws
that govern the entire nation. Therefore, the community tends to be resistant to the operating
government, which in turn, results in injustice incidences by the authorities in the country.
Aboriginals are emotionally tortured and have negative attitudes toward the government
(Bottoms, & Evans, 2013). Working in such a community requires one to understand deeply its
culture for better collaboration with the members of the community. This essay is, therefore, set
to explain how I would prepare myself to work with this community.
The first step shall be a self-examination. At this point, I shall engage in a series of
assessment methods to identify my strengths and weaknesses with respect to cultural competence
(Bessarab, Coffin, & Wright, 2016). This will give me a clear picture of the areas that need
development. Some of the factors to consider during the self-assessment program include my
competency in the language of the aboriginals, cultural operations, norms, ethics, traditions,
leadership, social aspects like interrelationships and finally their attitudes and beliefs towards
lifestyle aspects. A proper understanding of the community is, therefore, fundamental in the

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 5
preparation process. Diverse strategies shall be employed in improving my knowledge about the
community. Some of them are discussed in the proceeding sections of the paper.
As a strategic approach to improving my knowledge about the community, I shall look
for experts and seek their knowledge about the culture of the Aboriginals. Generally, the people
of palm islands are the original owners of the land, and they must be recognized while
implementing any program in the community. The sensitivity of the individuals calls for a deeper
understanding of their cultural lifestyle. For instance, the right procedure has to be followed
before getting into their community by contacting the Local Aboriginal Council to discuss the
issue before visiting their country (Fantin, & Fourmile, 2018). The Local Aboriginal Council
manage, support, and deliver services such as employment, housing, legal affairs, training and
acquirement and management of the property (Julien et al., 2017). Therefore, it is necessary to
explore most of the hidden norms of the Aboriginals by conducting experts with knowledge in
the cultural operations of the community to avoid infringing their ethics which might
consequently impact interpersonal contact during the placement period.
Also, I shall conduct a professional lawyer for the interpretation of traditional laws of the
individuals before entering their community. As per history, the Aboriginals were introduced to
the term law by British colonist, whereby they were supposed to abide by the new justice
structures (Pugliese, 2015). As a worker, it will be necessary to understand that palm island
people had a well-structured system of law long before colonialism known as traditional lore,
which is still up to date. The community lives under two legal systems, the traditional lore
system, and the British-based Australian system. However, the Aboriginals in the remote part of
Australia embrace more the traditional culture. This has resulted in conflict with the Australian
legal system limiting the community from practicing their culture to the best. As a worker,

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 6
acknowledging the laws and lore will help me understand better some of the problems the
community faces when protecting their culture. Thus, enough time with a professional lawyer
whose background is rooted in the Aboriginal community is necessary for promoting my cultural
competency skills.
Furthermore, I shall survey the community to identify the leaders and reflect upon my
moral characters to enhance respect to such authorities among Aboriginals. Leaders are the most
respected members and to whom the community depends on in terms of advice and knowledge
delivery (Busija et al., 2018). As a worker in the community, it will be necessary to get prepared
psychologically that elders of the Aboriginal community must be respected. When working with
them, I would need to get to know the Elders and other key native connections in Government
and non-government departments. I would take time in creating trustworthiness to the Aboriginal
community by demonstrating my availability and eagerness to help their community. Joining and
backing up indigenous activities like NAIBOC celebration week, Reconciliation Week activities,
and presenting my service to the local Aboriginal Land Council will help me get more about the
community.
Additionally, I will read relevant pieces of literature on the community to understand the
kinship of Aboriginals. Kinship is one of the important aspects of the Aboriginals’ culture
(Bessarab et al., 2016). It has an impact on the way services are being utilized by the people.
This community believes in mutual sharing and obligations within an extended family. The
child's financial support and care are also shared by the extended family where different roles are
played by different members to support community development (Kickett-Tucker et al., 2016). It
would, therefore, important for me to understand this concept of kinship so that I may offer
services that discourses the family obligations that many aboriginal clients experience. Proper

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 7
understanding of such facts can only be promoted through intensive reading of the relevant
pieces of literature. Reading of literature helps save on time while deeply understanding the
kinship of Aboriginals (Thomas, Nelson, & Silverman, 2015).
Engaging in community operations to learn their language and mode of communication,
including their social wellbeing (Jackie, 1999). Creating a deep conversation with the local
members of the community is a fundamental aspect in preparation for working with Aboriginals
(Elder et al., 2016). As a worker, it is important to develop good communication skills
impressing the use of a language that is easily understood by community members (Ting, &
Dorjee, 2018). Traditionally, the community had about 200 to 250 aboriginal languages spoken
hence linguistically diversified. This will force me to learn some of the common languages or
have an interpreter (Ralph et al., 2017). I will initiate the conversation by humbly sharing my
contacts, my family, and other issues. I will be open about myself to other people and offer an
honest connection. This will help me get their feedback and a better understanding of their
thoughts. As per research, some of the people in the community do not like direct eye contact
when communicating to them. They consider it as a sign of disrespect while other communities
view it positively. Also, some of the people do not know about their family history so I would
avoid asking sensitive questions because some will not be answered. Therefore, engaging in
community operations is the most appropriate way of interacting with Aboriginals to understand
their social lifestyle and promote personal communication skills.
Furthermore, I shall conduct a cultural self-analysis program (Ang & Van, 2015). Often,
different cultures differ from one another. Therefore, the cultural beliefs and attitudes of one
culture can undermine the expectations of another (Chiu, & Shi, 2019). Therefore, following the
fact that the above interventions promoted a proper understanding of the culture of the

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 8
aboriginals, it is necessary to analyze the aboriginal culture against my own in realizing areas
where I might undermine their expectations. This process will enable me to be careful when
handling the community with respect to the conflicting cultural norms. Additionally, the step will
help in identifying the correlation between my own culture and that of the Aboriginals in
enhancing effective cultural competence.
Finally, assembling of the materials and resources necessary for working with the
aboriginals is very significant. Life encompasses plenty of operations which require specific
resources for completion. Some of the resources necessary include clothing based on the
environmental conditions among Aboriginals, financial wellbeing for support in accessing some
of the services like food and shelter while working with the aboriginals, and other assets
necessary in the work area.
In conclusion, Palm Island is a culturally sensitive community located in Australia. It has
both legal laws and lore that govern its people. Unfortunately, the two abiding laws result in
some kind of conflict in society, as explained above. Also, this community seems to be neglected
by the Queensland government through racism discrimination. Therefore, for anyone to work
with such a community, there is a need to understand both the cultural and political environment
of the community and prepare adequately before commencing the work.

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 9
References
Ang, S., & Van Dyne, L. (2015). Handbook of cultural intelligence. Routledge 3(4) 32-41.
Bessarab, D., Coffin, J., & Wright, M. (2016). Mia Mia Aboriginal Community Development:
Fostering Cultural Security. Cambridge University Press.
Bessarab, D., Coffin, J., & Wright, M. (2016). Mia Mia Aboriginal Community Development:
Fostering Cultural Security. Cambridge University Press.
Bottoms, T., & Evans, R. (2013). Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's Frontier Killing-times.
Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
Busija, L., Cinelli, R., Toombs, M. R., Easton, C., Hampton, R., Holdsworth, K., ... & McCabe,
M. P. (2018). The Role of Elders in the Wellbeing of a Contemporary Australian
Indigenous Community. The Gerontologist.
Chiu, C. Y., & Shi, Y. (2019). Cross‐Cultural Competence. Cross
‐Cultural Psychology:
Contemporary Themes and Perspectives, 39-55.
Elder, H., Kersten, P., McPherson, K. M., Dawson, L., Harrison, H., Harrison, J., & Poulter, A.
(2016). Making time: Deeper connection, fuller stories, best practice. Annals of
Psychiatry and Mental Health, 4(6), 1-4.

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 10
Ella, A., (2017). MPs call on government to drop Palm Island appeal [online]. Retrieved from:
https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2017/01/25/mps-call-government-drop-
palm-island-appeal?cx_navSource=related-side-cx#cxrecs_s
Fantin, S., & Fourmile, G. G., (2018). Design in Perspective: Reflections on Intercultural Design
Practice in Australia. In The handbook of contemporary Indigenous architecture (pp.
433-464). Springer, Singapore.
Jackie, H., (1999). Protocols for consultation and negotiations with the Aboriginal people
[online]. Retrieved from: https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/people-
communities/protocols-aboriginal/aboriginal-protocols-for-consultation.pdf
Julien, M., Somerville, K., & Brant, J. (2017). Indigenous perspectives on work-life enrichment
and conflict in Canada. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: An International
Journal, 36(2), 165-181.
Kickett-Tucker, C., Bessarab, D., Coffin, J., & Wright, M. (Eds.). (2016). Mia Mia Aboriginal
Community Development. Cambridge University Press.
Lily, N., Sally, R., and Laura, G., (2018). Palm Island riots class action payout ‘slap in face’ to
police, union says [online]. Retrieved from:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/riot-class-action-payout-prompts-police-union-
anger/9717084
mediasite.jcu.edu.au (2016). The tall man [online]. Retrieved from:
https://mediasite.jcu.edu.au/Mediasite/Play/b8b05b1110fa41ce8468805957015f0e1d

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 11
NITV (2017). Money won’t wash away Palm Island’s trauma, Lex Wotton Says [online].
Retrieved from: http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2017/02/02/money-wont-
wash-away-palm-islands-trauma-lex-wotton-says?cx_navSource=related-side-
cx#cxrecs_s
Pugliese, J. (2015). Geopolitics of Aboriginal Sovereignty: Colonial Law as a Species of Excess
of Its Own Authority, Aboriginal Passport Ceremonies, and Asylum Seekers. Law Text
Culture, 19, 84.
Ralph, A. P., Lowell, A., Murphy, J., Dias, T., Butler, D., Spain, B., ... & Tune, K. (2017). Low
uptake of Aboriginal interpreters in healthcare: an exploration of current use in
Australia's Northern Territory. BMC health services research, 17(1), 733.
Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (2015). Research methods in physical activity.
Human kinetics 5(43) 222-231.
Ting-Toomey, S., & Dorjee, T., (2018). Communicating across cultures. Guilford Publications.
Towns, C., Cooke, M., Rysdale, L., & Wilk, P. (2014). Healthy weights interventions in
Aboriginal children and youth: a review of the literature. Canadian Journal of Dietetic
Practice and Research, 75(3), 125-131.
Waterworth, P., Dimmock, J., Pescud, M., Braham, R., & Rosenberg, M. (2016). Factors
affecting indigenous west Australians’ health behavior: Indigenous
perspectives. Qualitative health research, 26(1), 55-68.

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS 12