Indigenous Identity in Australia: Social Work EOI and Reflection

This assignment delves into the multifaceted concept of Indigenous identity in Australia, exploring its significance within a well-coexisting society and the impact of racism on the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. It examines various forms of racism, including internalized, interpersonal, and systemic racism, and their implications for social work practices. The assignment includes a personal reflection on the student's role in responding to racism and a definition of whiteness and its privileges. Furthermore, it analyzes the student's application for a social work position, including a cover letter and an expression of interest addressing the ability to communicate and engage respectfully with Indigenous Australians, as well as an understanding of their family and kinship ties. The assignment utilizes provided readings and course materials to analyze the complexities of Indigenous identity and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Australia.

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INDIGENOUS IDENTITY IN AUSTRALIA
By (Student’s name)
Professor’s Name
College
Course
Date

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STEP 1
Indigenous Identity:
Identity is a critical primary factor in the overall existence of a well-coexisting society.
Moreover, identity or affiliation to a specific major or minor segment of the societal composition
immensely matters. The importance is not only regarded in the personal sense of belonging to a
certain portion of the society and the society at large but also enables identify and negotiate
situations that might lead to undesirable coexistence between major and minor groups in the
society (Dudgeon and Pickett 2000). For indigenous groups in the society like the Aboriginal,
the aspect of identity is essential, having been through adverse racial actions from the coexisting
cultures in Australia, identity for such a group is essential. Firstly, it provides for a better
platform to fight for their rights that have been overlooked since, it also enables them to connect,
grow and practice the cultural dimensions that define them rationally to other cultures. Besides, it
also enhances the awareness regarding how other members of the society are supposed to
confront and interact with members of indigenous culture (Bodkin-Andrews and Carlson 2016).
Furthermore, the confusion arising from cultural uncertainty among various cultural
members is brought about by various reasons. Notably, the most cross-cutting mostly affects the
urban members of the culture. The uncertainty occurs through a lack of a proper set of cultural
aspects that erode the cultural link or affiliation of the urban members to their culture (Plater et.al
2019).

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Impact of racism on indigenous health
The conceptual levels of racism elaborated revolve around Internalized racism. This
scope of racism is inhibited by the individual self of the indigenous culture. For instance, it
happens when they perceive the beliefs and ideologies regarding their inferiority to be true.
Secondly, interpersonal racism, on the other hand, occurs between people when they exhibit
unfair, avoidable, and unequal approaches in socialization and interaction. Thirdly, systematic or
institutional racism deals with the racial perception portrayed by the system or institutions in the
country mainly through the existing policies, service acquisition process and practices
(Shepherd, Delgado, Sherwood and Paradies 2018).
How does institutional and system racism relate to social work?
As identified prior, this type of racial practice is embedded in the institutions of a
particular country where the respective indigenous group exists. Similarly, these institutions are
the front face of how human services are made available to the members of the society. In the
provision of human and social services, sometimes racial segregation emanates (Came, Doole,
McKenna, and McCreanor 2018). This happens through instances like favoritism during service
delivery. Moreover, sometimes through differentiated social amenities and services with the
difference in the ability to adequately address the needs particularly of indigenous groups (Came
et al. 2018). A systematic racism is the type of racism that exists in every system within the
society such as institutions, policies, believes, laws and media presentation. These type of racism
is invested deeply into the system, and in a situation where the system itself is founded on racism
service provision is greatly affected. Thus, social workers may not equitably offer services to the
general public when the individual beliefs and thoughts are influenced by systematic racism
(Graham 2015).

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My role in responding to racism:
Notably, my response to racism as a social justice propagator will be creation of
awareness regarding racial issues in the society. For the case of institutional racism, I would
create an influential corporate culture that is based on equality and multiculturalism. I would also
ensure that service delivery to employees and the general public is based on a rational ground
and ensure that members of the society who still practice racism get educated one its effects.
Definition statement of whiteness and privileges:
The global existence is sometimes overshadowed by the entire aspect of white privileges.
There are multiple approaches to clearly distinguishing between the varying beliefs of the topic.
From my understanding of the subject, whiteness and privileges are compound and arguably
diverse since from its knowledge, it can be incorporated in different comprehension perspectives
to enhance the clarity of understanding notable ideologies like racism.
Mainly, whites and privileges simply revolve around the general global idea of benefits
that may come along with being of white color. However, this topic is also surrounded by
controversy because of its underlying building principles. For instance, besides some white
people having honestly worked hard to achieve their status, the white privileges are also
unearned. Besides, it is notable that white privileges and perception are also derived from the
ancient happenings that involved racial and other adverse activities that enabled build the
reputation of people of the white color (McIntosh 1990).
Was whiteness easy to understand?
Prior to exposing me to the literature regarding whiteness, power, racism, and oppression,
my understanding of the aspects was shallow and not diverse enough as portrayed in the texts

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read, for instance, I never pictured in my knowledge the entire deep meaning and diversity of
their aspects and how they truly relate. What I found different is the fact that comprehending
issues like whiteness and its benefits in in-depth and historical review can expose how other
ideologies discussed in this paper like the existing racism; power and even oppression were
complemented in their existence (Tannoch-Bland 1998).
How the concept challenges my understanding:
As mentioned above, being exposed to the texts complimented my entire knowledge of
the subject in discussion. Additionally, I understood that, through a deep comprehension of
whiteness and its benefits, I learned that, the global perspective towards racism could change; the
scope of understanding racism should be broad enough to entail addressing the issues of power
and situations exhibiting oppression (Margolin 2015).
Examination and discussion of the enhanced clarity
The knowledge displayed in the literature used in elaborating the issues of racism and
issues affecting indigenous Australians is broad. From the white and the perceived privileges of
whiteness, the clarity acquired in terms of broadening one's scope of understanding how issues
like racism and oppression toward some groups of people emerged. Furthermore, it also brings
about a clear trace of the matters affecting such groups in the current era (Nelson, Hynes, Sharpe,
and Dunn 2018).
Conclusion
From the texts, it is cross-cutting that the roots of whiteness and the resulting privileges
can be important because: in understanding racism, the historical encounters between whites and
other racially vulnerable groups entailed much of oppression and excess power over others.

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Consequently, the encounters were substantially an impetus factor to the emergence of racial
issues.
STEP 2
The employment role I chose in a Social work organization
I decided to make an application as a member of the Australian association of social
workers. Mainly, to work with a team with a specialty in addressing the racial issues in Australia
meant to enhance multiculturalism. The role also includes exhibiting a diversity of approach
towards addressing the issues affecting these indigenous communities. The organization uses
various methods with complementary sources from other organizations like the UN.
Cover letter
21st September 2019
Merriam Hobson
Director, Human recourses
AAW
Draw Park, South Australia, VC 3050
Dear Ms. Hobson,
I am writing to make an application for the position of research social worker in your
branch, having seen your advertisement on Thursday's paper, I have a degree in social work
affairs. Besides, I also have special attention towards social justice individually and particularly

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racial matters. For instance, the Aboriginal communities in New Zealand that is vulnerable to
such racial discretion in Australia.
I write his application because of my knowledge and understanding in handling affairs
regarding undesirable racial actions and its impacts, particularly on the victims. For instance, I
understand their communication should bear correct and formal addressing of elders. Also,
members of the society should be asked how to be addressed since skepticism is not advisable
when interacting with them. Furthermore, I also regard the psychological support of the
indigenous members' engrained, displaying an understanding of their family culture. I will also
work to ensure cultural accountability in terms of monitoring the growth and progress of the
culture as a key aspect in curbing racism against cultural affiliation. Lastly, I will also promote
the diversity required in addressing these racial issues through developing my awareness besides
what I got about various indigenous groups.
I look forward to your consideration,
Yours sincerely,
Name

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STEP 3
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
Ability to communicate with indigenous Australians and families
Communication is a very important part of ensuring successful relationships with
members of an indigenous group. Moreover, it also builds a bridge between the community and
the social works respectively so as to promote the chances of helping the members of the
indigenous group effectively. Some of the fundamental issues in communication relate to
promoting etiquette and respect in the course of conversation. Considering some of the
indigenous cultures are mostly rooted in their cultural activities and believe in tradition,
respecting members of the society and addressing them respectively according to the age or type
of relationship is an important factor among most traditions (Lee 2016).
Therefore, during communication with members of such a vulnerable group, it is
important to give them their sense of worth in society during the conversation. This attribute
entails aspects like addressing the elders correctly and avoiding any situation that might lead to
distrust (Munns, et.al 2016). During communication, the respective social worker or any other

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individual communicating with a member of an indigenous group should observe: being honest,
avoiding direct critic, speaking only after one is allowed, using print depending on the level of
literacy of the group and most importantly being sensitive to their culture (Lee 2016).
Ability to engage respectfully with the indigenous Australians and families
Respect is a virtue perceived important by the ethical stipulations of the general society
and which is also regarded by most people. Similarly, indigenous Australians are no exception.
This lack of exception is indicated in the strong traditional and cultural beliefs upheld by the
people of such indigenous racial affiliation. Moreover, when interacting with a member of a
culturally aware group, respect is paramount, especially for elders. Treating elders' members
with respect most importantly indicates your submission and respect to the underlying cultural
principles of the group. This submission promotes the chances of building a successful
relationship that forms the basis of information acquisition (Platter, Mooney-Somers, Barclay,
and Bolton 2019).
Moreover, there are also other important benefits of addressing members of such
communities with respect. Firstly, it gives them the feeling of belonging to a multicultural
dimension; also, it generally gives the compassion and the will to stand up for the place in the
society through being shown respect by others (Australia 2017). Respect in the conversation,
to elaborate on the point prior mentioned, enhances their openness and interaction to other
people from varied cultural backgrounds. This interaction promotes the awareness required for
information sharing.

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Ability to understand and have knowledge of indigenous Australian communities
family and kinship tie
Notably, it is important to understand that kingship ties are often the backbone of any
indigenous society. For instance, according to cultural studies, kinship ties enhance the
understanding of relatives the society as a whole to members of society. Furthermore, it also
elaborates on their role in the niche they possess in the kinship hierarchy. Therefore, during
practice in the field for a respective member of the social work network concerning indigenous
groups, understanding the kinship structure of the respective group is important (Pruitt, 2016).
Some of the notable features in the kinship system of the indigenous Australians
revolve around the three common foundations found in the groups. They include a moiety,
which includes the idea of half in the nature of life. For instance the support from being of the
same moiety, secondly, the ideology of members having four totems that represent their link to
nature and their preceding generation lines, totems also in Australian indigenous society
enables determination of one's weakness and strength's and lastly skin names which are used a
basic form of identity between members of the same groups and their links (Moore 2014).
Therefore understanding such cultural values among other underlying cultural
perspective provides a better understanding when establishing a relationship with members of
such cultural affiliation (Munns, et.al 2016). This enhances success in understanding their
cultural existence and help in assimilating them fully in society to prevent racial actions.

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Ability to provide effective and sensitive advice to indigenous Australian
communities members
It is paramount that such communities are always in dire need of guidance and
information regarding how the system can be developed to embrace their existence better.
Besides, it's also the mandate of social justice practitioners to feel the gap of the provision of
this information whenever these groups need expression. Moreover, the ability of the
practitioner to be eligible enough to avail this information also depends on multiple factors.
Most importantly, the exposure to important aspects or issues affecting the group, for example,
in this case, how the issue of racism has affected the respective indigenous groups in Australia.
Some of the sensitive information that is supposed to be availed to such groups in
Australia entails the following issues; besides the wide scope of racial discrimination,
awareness should also be created among this groups of people to prevent cases of interpersonal
racism or oppression amongst members belonging to the same indigenous group, also, the
appropriate structure and logistics that can be put in place to boost service delivery to such
members. Thirdly, addressing the issues of literacy is also important because; it enhances their
empowerment as a community. Furthermore, it promotes their chances of finding better
solutions to their social problems (Patel, Tabb, and Sue, 2017).
Ability to work within the team in a culturally accountable way
For such a topic, cultural accountability is an important factor to be put into
consideration. Purposely, to promote the success of the social justice or welfare practitioner in
empowering the indigenous groups. In my team, accountability will revolve around, ensuring

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it is the responsibility of every member of the team to partake their responsibility. This is
important because it complements the effort in the quest to addressing racism and oppression
towards the indigenous groups (Taylor and Guerin 2019).
To ensure, the cultural accountability, first and foremost, it is important to set the
guiding principles or scope of objectives that guide the execution aspect of the staff. They are
also not only guides but also important points of reference. They are important during the
entire period of attempting various approaches to understanding the indigenous groups.
Furthermore, another way of ensuring cultural accountability in the social welfare niche has
been through measuring and analyzing the trends indicated in the collected information
(Guajardo et.al 2018). Through this quantitative system, the overall performance with respect
to how the team is upholding culturally accountable ways is determined.
Lastly, the other method that can be used to achieve the desired level of cultural
accountability by the team can include the identification and development of the noted
deficiencies. The performance criteria used should be diverse in regard to cultural
accountability; therefore, it should be able to portray the weaknesses that can be developed
upon. This development, in turn, ensures the level of results achieved is satisfactory (Taylor
and Guerin 2019).
General awareness of issues confronting indigenous Australian families and
communities that could include knowledge of the history of indigenous Australians and