Critically Examining Indigenous Australians

This essay explores the unique characteristics and challenges faced by Indigenous Australians. It examines their demographics, historical perspectives, cultural beliefs, and the issues they encounter within the Australian system. The essay also discusses the importance of a strength-based approach and the implications for current policy direction and practice.

CRITICALLY EXAMINING
AND UNDERSTANDING
DIFFERENCE:
INDIGENOUS
AUSTRALIANS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
Demographics and key features of the Indigenous group in Australian society.........................1
Historical and Current day perspectives, policies and practices affecting indigenous group.....2
Central belief, views and perspectives of Indigenous people.....................................................3
Potential issues of contention or challenges for Indigenous people in relation to Australian
system..........................................................................................................................................4
Working Across Difference ............................................................................................................5
Strength based approach.............................................................................................................5
Implications for current policy direction and for practice..........................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Indigenous Australians are the aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia,
descended from the group that are existed in Australia as well as surrounding island before
British colonisation. They are the native people in the territory. There 70 countries in the world
where the large number of indigenous people are living each practising unique traditions,
retaining social, cultural, political, economical characteristics which are distinct from those of
the dominant societies in which they are living (Bertels and Lawrence, 2016). The language,
system, belief hold by indigenous people in Australia is entirely unique. There are two main
types of indigenous groups which are Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people. Recently in
Australia, there are approximately 400,000 indigenous people are residing. This present essay
will critically examine as well as understand the differences in indigenous people in Australia.
MAIN BODY
Demographics and key features of the Indigenous group in Australian society
Indigenous Australian are descended from the people who lives in Australis as well as the
surroundings islands prior to European colonisation. There are two distinct groups of Indigenous
people living in Australia which are the people who come from the Torres Strait Islands North
Cape york in Queensland are the group called Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people who
come form the all other parts of Australia. Amongst these both the groups, there are different
culture, belief and languages (Crane and Matten, 2016). There are 700 languages which are
spoken by indigenous people.
At the time of arrival of Britishers, the population of indigenous people in Australia was
1,50,000 But after sometime, the biggest reduction was noticed after the arrival of British in
Australia. With the passing of years the population of indigenous people has been reduced very
fast. There are various factors which leads to reduction in their population which are
discrimination and murder or mass killing by Britishers and Europeans and various diseases.
They face many issues and troubles in the period of Britishers and Europeans.
The demographic statistics allows the descriptions of the trends in the population of
indigenous people. It has been recorded that the mass proportion of indigenous people are under
the age of 20 which are around 50 percent. Less number of indigenous people are at the age
group between and over 40 years which are around 6 percent. In addition to this, the trends also
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indicate the rate of birth and fertility in indigenous people living in Australia. The fertility rate in
indigenous people are 2.1 babies per woman (Day and et.al., 2015). The life expectancy rate is
very low as compare to other groups in the country.
But after the actions taken by government the population of indigenous people tends to
rise the vast reduction was also controlled. In 2016, the census report shows the clear upward
trends in the counts of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in each sequential census. In
the census report releases in 2016 has counted 649,200 indigenous people living in the country
where 90.9 percent were the Aboriginal group and 5.0 percent were Torres Strait Islander along
with 4.1 percent were the both Torres Strait Islander origin and Aboriginal. The population of
indigenous groups is increasing by 18% comparing with the census report of 2011. In 2016
census they are representing 2.8% of population which is being raises by 0.3 percent in 2011.
Historical and Current day perspectives, policies and practices affecting indigenous group.
There are many changes issues and challenge faced by the indigenous group in Australia.
They are discriminated, murder and killed by other groups, Britisher and Europeans. They have
no protection from any legal authorities or government. In the period of Britishers, there were
vast reduction in their population which was discussed above. They were killed by them. In
pastime, indigenous people are not allowed to move same as other Australians, they have no
rights to live their life's easily. There is a great connection between the past and the present as the
economic as well as social impact of penetration along with control of indigenous people has
assembled across generations. It was exaggerate policies as well as practices which have been
consistently deprived indigenous people (Dudgeon and Walker, 2015). In many situations, it has
resulted in the transmission of poverty trauma as well as some other types of disadvantages from
the history. They are facing issues regarding poor education, lack of resources, poor heath etc.
Indigenous people are not allowed in the urban areas as they had lived in very small
communities, as well as survived by gathering and hunting.
The people who are belonged to indigenous community had directly experienced the
policies of Australian history are often impacted by the legacy behind. Colonisation is the major
reason which caused Trauma that includes violences as well as loss of land and culture. The
policy of removing children's is also carried forward by the history. It was not limited but there
are huge policies which are directly hit the lifestyle of indigenous people which are as
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indigenous people are not allowed to be in public without permission, they are barred from
hospitals and schools, they are forced to work as a salve in the homes of non-indigenous people.
They face many issues is past but in present time, government had bought many changes
in the practices and policies of indigenous people. With the passing of time, there life is also
changes as in Australia it is strictly banned to discriminate people belong to indigenous groups.
They are allowed to take education wherever they want, they are allowed in public place without
taking any permission, they have houses or land to love (Gilberthorpe and Hilson, 2016). All
things are much better compare to pastime. The way indigenous people lives was entirely
different from older time because government had make their economy safer by providing them
opportunities to grow and develop.
Central belief, views and perspectives of Indigenous people.
There are various key characteristics of indigenous people which makes them different
from others. They are the most important part of the economy. In the world there are 370 million
people in 710 countries who are belonged to the group of indigenous society.
Knowledge and Culture- The people belong to the group of indigenous people are speak
many languages, it was founded that they are holder of 700 languages. The system of knowledge
and belief as well as posses priceless knowledge activities for the sustainable management of
natural resources. The collection of land with them are very special and they use their ancestors
land. The entire concept of development of indigenous people are bases on values, needs,
priorities and visions. The lifestyle of these people are entirely different from other groups.
Ancestors lands- This is one the best attributes which indigenous people hold as they use
the land of there ancestors (Head and et.al., 2015). They do not sell the old properties which is
very precious for the economy. The connection with the ancestral land of indigenous people are
very strong.
Culture and Belief- With the modern era, old traditions and culture is vanishing day by
day but indigenous people are living their life with the old culture and belief. They are very
important person of the society. Old traditions are also very important. The connection made by
them with culture is very strong. They are the cultural identity of the nation.
Contribution to the environmental management- Indigenous people are also
contributing large to the environment management as they use the resources of forest effectively.
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The food cycle is also manage by indigenous people. In protecting the environment they are
called the leaders.
Population- This is also one of the most important characteristics of indigenous group
because they hold 3.9 percent or proportion of population of Australia.
Thus, these are the characteristics of indigenous people which makes them different and
unique from other communities (Howard, 2016). It is fact that in 2030, indigenous people are
key players in the sustainable development agenda of Australia.
Potential issues of contention or challenges for Indigenous people in relation to Australian
system.
The issues and challenges faced by indigenous people are countless. They have no rights
to live their life happily. Australian system had provided rights to everyone as it is human rights
but why indigenous people do not have these rights. They are facing issues in protect their rights
but they cannot. They are continuously experiencing racial discrimination in many spheres of
life. Oxfam also reported that the government of Australia have failed indigenous people. Here
are some more issues faced by indigenous people in Australia-
Health issues- The life expectancy rate is very show in indigenous community because
they are not allowed in hospitals to take the treatments. The infant mortality rate is very high it is
only because of poor health. They life expectancy is lower in indigenous people because of
malnutrition especially in children's. There are many health diseases which they are facing is
heart diseases, sexually transmitted infections, cancer, teeth decay, mental health issues, kidney
infection and many other diseases (Pennycook, 2017). The main reason of increasing health
issues is discrimination. Juts because of discrimination they did not able to get the treatments
properly.
Lack of Education- Indigenous people are illiterate people. In pastime they are not
allowed in schools, but after sometime the situation become better but still they are facing
discrimination in schools and colleges. Just because of lack of education, they are facing huge
troubles in their life. Still, they do not know their rights because they are not educated. The
difference or gap between the outcomes of education in indigenous people and non-indigenous
people is very high and the reason is clear, discrimination.
Laws-This is very important aspect of each life's. It governs the people in right way and
in right manner. In earlier time, they do not have any rights as they cannot live their life as other
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people live. This is the issue which they faced in the earlier time. It has been noticed that still in
some areas they are being discriminated.
Housing and Income Support- Indigenous people do not have proper house or shelter.
They live their life in open areas which they have to fight the changes in climate every day. They
live in forest and eat food by hunting animals. In addition to this, indigenous people do not have
income support which is also one of the issue faced by them. Just because of lack of education
and inequalities they do not allowed working in public areas (Soldatic, 2015).
The role played by government and human service practiser for protecting indigenous
people
In order to protect the rights of indigenous people, it is very important that government
and human service practiser both contribute for their betterment-
The government of Australia is contributing large in order to protect there life and rights
of people.
Health programs- The Australian government has organized various health programmes
in order to improve the health of indigenous people as well as life expectancy rate. They primary
health care, mental and child as well as support for people with chronic disease are targeted in
these programs (Sue, Rasheed and Rasheed, 2015). Similarly, it is the duty of human service
practiser to make them aware of the programmes.
Social justice- Australian government also playing the great role in implementing various
laws which are important to protect there interest like indigenous people have right to a distinct
status as well as culture, they also have right to self-determination and they have right to land.
These laws are very essential for them but it is the duty of human server practiser to make them
aware of these laws.
Right to education- It is the duty of government that they should open schools for them
in the areas where the communities are residing. If the indigenous group will be educated then it
will surely improve their living standard.
Working Across Difference
Strength based approach
It is the theory that emphasises people's self determination as well as strength. Indigenous
people are very important for the economy as all discussed above. In order to raise the make
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them engage as well as protect them from discrimination and inequalities, it is very important to
make them aware about their rights and laws.
Engagement- this is very important that indigenous people should be engage in the
communities as other have. The best way I will use to boost their engagement by learning the
local language of indigenous people, I love to learn different languages. By talking with them in
local language they will be more comfortable (Bertels and Lawrence, 2016).
Relationship Building- I am very good in talking with people and making a good
relationship because I like to make friends and I have a good interest in learning of others. With
my skills, I will build a good relationship with them. I will talk with them I local language and
will know the feeling and support them. I will assure them that there all issues will be solved as
soon as possible. By doing this, it is sure that a good relationship will be build up.
Raise voice- I will also raise my voice for the welfare and betterment of indigenous
people. I will let to them to participate and come in the societies. I will also allow them to
general hospitals, schools. By raising voice, I am sure that discrimination will be control.
Implications for current policy direction and for practice.
It is also very important to improves the current policies and practices which are still
carried in Australia. Government of Australia introduced many laws and legislation but still it is
not up to the mark.
The human rights Act will need major changes as it included the right of housing,
education, health and social security which needs major improvement.
The policies of healthcare which government had implemented will need more
improvement because in the community of indigenous people, still there are many diseases.
Thus, human service practiser will identify the needs and issues they are facing in acquiring the
health of indigenous people so that it can bring in the knowledge of higher authorities (Crane,
and Matten, 2016).
Closing the gap- It is also very important that the gap between indigenous and non-
indigenous people should be vanished in any manner because they are also human beings as the
others. Laws and legislations should be mould as per the current situations.
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CONCLUSION
The above report concluded the entire life-story of indigenous people living in Australia.
Demographics and key features of the Indigenous group in Australian society was also illustrated
which shows that in past the population of indigenous people was faced vast reduction but after
sometime the population ratios was controlled. In addition to this, characteristics of indigenous
people was also illustrated which makes them different from others. Potential issues of or
challenges for Indigenous people in relation to Australian system was also included in this
assessment. The role of government in the securing the life of indigenous people was also
included in this essay.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Bertels, S. and Lawrence, T. B., 2016. Organizational responses to institutional complexity
stemming from emerging logics: The role of individuals. Strategic Organization. 14(4).
pp.336-372.
Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Day, A. and et.al., 2015. Indigenous students' persistence in higher education in Australia:
contextualising models of change from psychology to understand and aid students'
practices at a cultural interface. Higher Education Research & Development. 34(3).
pp.501-512.
Dudgeon, P. and Walker, R., 2015. Decolonising Australian psychology: Discourses, strategies,
and practice. Journal of Social and Political Psychology. 3(1). pp.276-297.
Gilberthorpe, E. and Hilson, G. eds., 2016. Natural resource extraction and indigenous
livelihoods: Development challenges in an era of globalization. Routledge.
Head, L. and et.al., 2015. Living with invasive plants in the Anthropocene: the importance of
understanding practice and experience. Conservation and Society. 13(3). pp.311-318.
Howard, G. R., 2016. We can't teach what we don't know: White teachers, multiracial schools.
Teachers College Press.
Pennycook, A., 2017. The cultural politics of English as an international language. Routledge.
Soldatic, K., 2015. Post colonial re productions: Disability, indigeneity and the formation of the
white masculine settler state of Australia. Social Identities. 21(1). pp.53-68.
Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N. and Rasheed, J. M., 2015. Multicultural social work practice: A
competency-based approach to diversity and social justice. John Wiley & Sons.
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