UTS Health: Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Reflection Paper

This reflective essay explores a student's evolving understanding of Indigenous Australian culture and health. Initially holding negative stereotypes based on limited information, the student's perspective shifted after arriving in Australia and engaging with the Aboriginal population. The essay details the student's initial prejudices, stemming from pre-conceived notions about Indigenous people, and how these views were challenged through coursework and personal interactions. The student highlights the importance of learning about Indigenous culture, traditions, and beliefs in dispelling stereotypes and fostering a more informed and empathetic viewpoint. The reflection emphasizes the vulnerability of the Indigenous population and the significance of gaining knowledge to develop a more accurate and respectful understanding of their health and wellbeing. The student now appreciates the rich cultural background of the Indigenous people and actively seeks to build friendships, demonstrating a significant change in perception and a commitment to cultural awareness.

Running Head: CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING
CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Aboriginal population of the Australia is the indigenous individuals of the Australia,
which constitutes of around 3% of the total Australian populations. They pose a strong
connection with the culture, values, beliefs and culture of the country. After taking admission in
an Australian university, my perception regarding the aboriginal’s populations changed. This
reflection is based upon my experience with the aboriginal’s individual and learning that aid to
change my views and perception regarding the aboriginal populations.
I had not met any aboriginal population in life before arriving Australia and have only
heard about them from different individuals. Based on that, I eventually formed a negative image
of the Australian aboriginal populations. According to my perception, the aboriginals
populations were poor, uneducated, do not want to socialize, violent in nature and are drug
abusers. I started stereotyping themselves and try to maintain distance as much possible both
outside and inside the university campus.
However, now my perspective for the aboriginal population changed. Learning gained
from the course subject plays a major role in altering my view. I stopped judging them like
before. I understood that they are same as other population and stopped stereotyping them based
on other’s perception. I started reading about them to gain more knowledge about their culture,
beliefs and values. After studying about their tradition, I realized that they have a really
interesting background and culture. In the university also, I started making friendship with the
aboriginal populations.
From the above reflection, it can be concluded that Aboriginals and the indigenous
populations are the vulnerable population of the Australia. The perception of the individual, who

2CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLBEING
do not know much about the aboriginal populations, is negative. However, after gathering
information about the indigenous population, my views changed.