Aboriginal Communities in Blacktown City

This assignment delves into the lives of Aboriginal communities within Blacktown City, Australia. It examines historical context, cultural practices, employment opportunities, income status, and population demographics. The analysis draws upon various sources including academic journals, government publications, and online resources to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by this community.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PURPOSE........................................................................................................................................1
Traditional custodians of land.....................................................................................................1
Language.....................................................................................................................................2
Sites of significance....................................................................................................................2
Events of historical significance.................................................................................................3
Indigenous population.................................................................................................................4
Indigenous services.....................................................................................................................6
Mainstream services offering indigenous services.....................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the indigenous people those who are first
inhabitants of Australia. These people have aboriginal identity (Harrison and McLean, 2017).
Blacktown city comes at second position after Central coast in term of number of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait islander population. There are approx 9527 indigenous people live. Current
study will discuss relation of these people with traditional lands, eaters. Furthermore, impact of
indigenous culture on local area will be described in this study.
PURPOSE
The aim of the study is to identify influence of indigenous culture on local area. In
BlackTown city.
Traditional custodians of land
The Aboriginal people of BlackTown City are called as Darug. Three clans of this city
are such as Gomerigal-South Creek, Warmuli- prospect and Wawarawarry- Eastern Creek.
White settlement has affected the lands and competition for land and resources got increased.
Though number of people of Aboriginal are declining but presence of this community remains
today in BlackTown city (Liebman, Payne and Molteno, 2015). In the year 1788 Governor Philip
started travelling to Prospect Hill. After that in the year February 1791 land is granted by
governor Philip to 13 people at Prospect Hill. This was the fist land that was granted by Philip in
Blacktown city. In the year 1801 John Macarthur has brought 1770 acres at seven Hills. In the
year 1819 this land was granted to Colebee. In the year 1820 Native institute has taken step to
assimilate these people into European ways and in 1823 they were moved to Black Town
(Rauscher and Momtaz, 2016).
Darug were originally belonged from Sydney but later on they were moved to this area.
Blacktown council has acknowledged Darug people as traditional custodians of land. Before
making their judgement council has engaged with 21 more organizations and has raised the
question about traditional land owners of Blacktown city. Now country is organizing a civil
event in which Darug elder people will participate and whole event will be undertaken by them.
Council has stated that they Darug are the traditional custodians of this land and we give all
respect to these people for their custodianship of the BlackTown City (Irish, 2017). Council has
announced that council will work with these people so that culture and values of this community
can be protected.
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Language
Darug people of BlackTown speak Darug language. Western central Torres Strait
language is generally used by people those who belong from south-western, western, northern
and central islands. On other hand Meriam Mir is another language which is spoken by eastern
island people. In additional neighbour people speaks Eora language. Myall reflects the people
those who are living their life from traditional manner (Adams, 2015).
Sites of significance
Blacktown native Institution shows the site of significance that reflects historical,
archaeological values of the indigenous people. It plays significant role in the formulation
policies and maintaining race relations. The site possesses: governor Macquarie, Governor
Brisbane, William walker, Samuel Marsden and Sydney Burdekin. The significance of the site is
that it shows tradition and cultural values of aboriginal community and Australian communities.
It also reflects cross cultural engagement of different group of people in the country (Stokes,
2016). It is also important for the community of Sydney Maori community. It reflects tangible
link with colonial history of various cultural relations. It is also beneficial because it reflects 19th
century missionary activity. This site gives evidences of the traditions and histories of the area of
Aboriginal indigenous people of Blacktown city (Donovan, 2015). These evidences can not be
get by any other source. These evidences are related with customs, management of aboriginal
schools in the colony etc. Furthermore, it is also significance for the evidence of land use,
aboriginal camps. By looking at these sources' knowledge can be developed about aboriginal
people and their traditions of living their life happily (History, 2017).
Blacktown Native Institution landmark is considered as important site for aboriginal and
non aboriginal people of Blacktown city. It explains historical aspects of black and white people
relationships in Australia. It also shows colonial policy featuring. It helps in providing link with
early aboriginal settlement. Black Town is the place where first time land grants made for the
Aboriginal people of the country (Blacktown Native Institution, 2017). Association of different
bodies with BlackTopwn Native institution reflects results of policies on living standards of this
community. The site has linked with Rev Samuel Marsden and Missionary William Walker. Rev
was the person who was appropriated chairman of Native Institution committee in the year 1821.
He had the missionary connections with New Zealand, this connection has supported in brining
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Maori children to school. This site is significant for dispossession child removal and significance
of land (Aboriginal communities, 2017).
Events of historical significance
There are many historical events that are celebrated by Aboriginal people of BlackTown
City. NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders day of celebration) week. It is the event that
is celebrated every year by the Aboriginal people of BlackTown City in the month of July. It is
the we\k in which culture and recognisation of Aboriginal people of BlackTown City is being
celebrated. It is the week that represents contribution of Darug people or aboriginal people in
various field. Furthermore, National reconcilian week is another event that is celebrated every
year in the BlackTown city. It organizes annually from 27 May to 3rd June. The main
significance of this wekk is that mark two milestones, it explains reconciliation journey of
Aboriginal people of BlackTown City (Blacktown City, 2016). This is celebrated for
reconciliation that means building relationship and respect between indigenous and non
indigenous people in the country. This has supported in developing unity in indigenous and non
indigenous people.
Furthermore, national sorry day is another event that is celebrated every year in the
BlackTown city by aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It was conducted first on 26th
May 1998. The main reason of celebrating this day is that earlier children those who belonged to
this community were not allowed to live with their families but later on report of Bringing them
hone has clarified removal of these children from their families (Questions and Answers about
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2005). It is the main significance of this day and
every year Australia celebrates this day on this date. It is acknowledged for the impact of
removal of children from their Aboriginal families.
In addition, every year survival day is being celebrated in the country. Significance of
this event is to celebrate culture and heritage aspects of aboriginal and indigenous people. In this
event culture, music, dance, food, politics are included that helps in gathering knowledge about
culture of this community (Aboriginal communities, 2017). In the month of August National
Aboriginal and Islander children day is being celebrated in the nation. Significance of this event
is to encourage this community, mainstream child and work of childhood services for improving
their life and for protecting their culture. In addition, in the month of September every year The
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Deadly Awards are organized, it is the Indigenous Australian peak award in the field of art,
entertainment, sport etc (Blacktown Native Institution, 2017).
Harmony day is the most important event of the country which is organized every year in
the month of March. The significance of this event is to show the respect for the people those
who are traditional custodian of land and those who come to this country from other nations.
Recently many events organized in the nation such as Stompin Ground, Barunga Festival, CROC
Eisteddfod, NAIDOC etc (Blacktown City, 2016).
Indigenous population
Blacktown is the city where 9527 aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population were
living. There are approx 6800 Torres Strait Islanders those who are living in Torres Strait area,
on other hand 42000 people are living outside this area. Stastical records show that in the year
2011 approx 301096 people were living in the BlackTown city. Since 2006 to 2011 there are
10.8% growth in the population. But records show that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
population was 8201 that was 2.7% of entire population (History, 2017).
When it comes to age factor then records show that 46.3% people of this community in
BlackTown city were between age of 0 to 17 year. On other hand 3.9% people were approx 65
years. Between the year 2011 to 2016 number of indigenous people have been increased in the
city. In the year 2011 aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the BlackTown city was
8195 whereas in 2016 it reached to 9527. In the year 2011 it was 2.7% of entire population
whereas in 2016 it was 2.8% of whole population (Donovan, 2015). Approx 1332 people have
been increased in number on the country.
In order to show social economic status of people employment statistics are essential
source and indicator. Over the period of time jobs opportunities have been increased for this
community people. 63% people of this community out of 2555 aboriginal and Torres strait
Islander people those who are residents of BlackTown city are working full-time and 37% people
are working part time. These people have adequate income sources and they are able to live their
life happily (Aboriginal communities, 2017).
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Illustration 1: income status of aboriginal people in Black town city
Source: (Blacktown City, 2016)
§
But there are many unemployed people as well those who are not having enough income
sources. In the year 2011 there were 477 that means 20% people were there those who were
unemployed whereas in the year 2016 the numbers reached to 509. Due to discrimination and job
opportunities for limited number of people, many people were there those were unable to get
adequate employment opportunities.
Indigenous people are younger than non indigenous population.
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Illustration 2: age of population
Source: (Questions and Answers about Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander Peoples, 2005)
Indigenous services
There are many indigenous service organziation which are working for the welfare and
protection of aboriginal people of BlackTown city. These are such as land council, health
services, housing, employment etc. Local aboriginal services are Darug research and information
centre, Deerubbin local aboriginal land council, Butucarbin aboriginal service and Muru Mittiger
service (Stokes, 2016).
In order to provide health care facilities to these people aboriginal medical service and
legal services are working in the city. This body offers free of cost medical services and legal
services to indigenous people of BlackTown city. Furthermore, indigenous employment
programs are another body that helps in offering financial assistance to the people of this
community and providing them necessary job training so that they can get better employment
opportunities in the country (History, 2017). Furthermore, Indigenous education strategic
initiatives is another type of services that helps in providing funding for the children so that
aboriginal people those who have no income source can sent their children to schools. It also
works for providing quality educational services to indigenous students. In the year 2002-2003
government of the nation has announced that government will spend 350 million for improving
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infrastructure facility for indigenous people and arrangements of their housing facilities
(Aboriginal communities, 2017).
Mainstream services offering indigenous services
ALS is the body which is working for providing legal services to aboriginal people of the
country since 1970. It is the non governmental firm that works for the welfare of aboriginal
community. This body provides suggestions and advice to the victim so that they get justice
soon. It offers free services to aboriginal people of Blacktown and the country. Aboriginal
Affairs NSW is another mainstream services that works for promoting economic, cultural and
social well-being of indigenous people. OCHRE which is the new government plan for the
welfare of aboriginal people supports for strengthening cultural identity and language of the
aboriginal people those (Questions and Answers about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
Peoples, 2005).
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that indigenous population have to go through
from lots of conditions but government support has helped them in protecting their cultural
identify and well-being. Many organizations such as Butucarbin aboriginal services, Muru
Mittiger are working for the welfare of this community. These bodies provide funds,
employment opportunities so that they an live a better life.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adams, E. K., 2015. Losing ground? Issues of autonomy in an Urban Indigenous Organisation.
Donovan, J., 2015. Margins for error: a discussion of barriers preventing the connection of
mainstream and margins when conducting in-school research.
Harrison, N. and McLean, R., 2017. Getting yourself out of the way: Aboriginal people listening
and belonging in the city. Geographical Research. 55(4). pp.359-368.
Irish, P., 2017. Hidden in Plain View: The Aboriginal People of Coastal Sydney. NewSouth
Publishing.
Liebman, M., Payne, N. and Molteno, J., 2015. On-site versus off-site-the business case for
stormwater treatment in infill areas in Blacktown. 9th International Water Sensitive Urban
Design (WSUD 2015). pp.275.
Rauscher, R. C. and Momtaz, S., 2016. Cities in Global Transition: Creating Sustainable
Communities in Australia. Springer.
Stokes, S. G., 2016. 3 ‘Indigenous Hip Hop’. Australian Indigenous Hip Hop: The Politics of
Culture, Identity, and Spirituality. pp.109.
Online
Aboriginal communities, 2017. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/Our-people/Aboriginal-communities>
Blacktown City, 2016. [Online]. Available through
<https://profile.id.com.au/blacktown/indigenous-employment-status?
IBMID=30&BMIndigStatusID=0&EndYear=2011>
Blacktown Native Institution, 2017. [Online]. Available through
<http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?
ID=5051312>
History, 2017.[Online]. Available through <https://www.blacktownaustralia.com.au/visitor-
information/history/>
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Questions and Answers about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2005. [Online].
Available through <http://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/questions-and-answers-about-
aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-peoples>
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