Reflective Essay: Indigenous Australians and Engineering Ethics

This reflective essay delves into the author's personal experiences and insights regarding the history of the treatment of Indigenous Australians and its impact on ethical engineering practices. The essay utilizes the DIEP framework (Describe, Interpret, Evaluate, Plan) to systematically analyze the author's learning process and the challenges in communicating with Aboriginal communities. It highlights the underrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in engineering, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the need for engineers to understand and respect Indigenous protocols and values. The author reflects on the significance of engaging with Aboriginal communities, the role of communication skills, and the importance of considering cultural heritage in engineering projects. The essay emphasizes the need for ground-level engagement, practical research, and the development of ethical practices to ensure the economic and social benefits for Indigenous communities. The essay references various sources to support the arguments and provides a comprehensive reflection on the subject matter.

REFLECTIVE ESSAY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Reflective essay is a form of essay where individual examines his own personal
experience in his/her life and how these experiences help the individual to grow and learn new
things. The reflective essay is based on the history of the treatment of Indigenous Australians
over the last century. The main focus of the essay is on how the history impact the ethical
practice of engineering and how this influence individual in communicating with Aboriginal
communities. For that purpose, DIEP framework will be use for a systematic approach of
reflective writing. In the DIEP framework; D stands for Describe, I stands for Interpret, E for
Evaluate and P for Plan.
MAIN BODY
When the topic of Indigenous Australian studies first come in the class, I was uncertain if
what to expect but really interested. When I read things about aboriginal community in Australia
and the attention and concern comes from within of mine to many circumstances going on with
the indigenous people (Altman, 2018). The Australian Aboriginal people are categorised in two
distinct groups Indigenous Australian, the other being Torres Strait Islander peoples. The most
surprising thing is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people represents Australian
population of about 2.5%, but under them only 0.5% are engineering students in total
(Indigenous People and Communities, 2013). Other thing I also read is this they were being
treated very poorly and the term black has been used to refer the Indigenous Australian. But
there activeness and interest change my thinking about them. I heard that they do not allow other
people or visitor They should be treated properly and it can be done from encouraging them to
involve in a project that has been assign to me. I learnt from the history of the treatment of
Indigenous Australian over the last century is that get them involved with non-aboriginal
community it is essential to work with them in partnership that will help in ensure that they share
in the economic benefit (Sanders, 2018).
The raising interest of mine in the Indigenous Australian people provide an aim to do the
ultimate development of Indigenous community but I was little confused what if the aim cannot
be properly executed. This might affect the perception of other positively towards the
development of Aboriginal community and encourage them to took effective action in the
coordination. I feel that insight of the Rino Tino Alcan is essential to build a connection with the
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people and it will help in to understand their strategy and enable me to properly implement this
in my action. I am very excited by gaining enough knowledge and understanding of the
indigenous people that will help me in understand how the believes and rituals are in-depth and
real of the people. I feel sad about how the life of the Aboriginal children, they do not have
proper employment and availability of the resources. In my learning the major name presented
are of Rino Tino Alcan that plays a major role in the development of community. The purpose of
this activity is to understand how to effectively engage with Aboriginal Australian people. I think
that for the aim of this project I required some specific skill and knowledge such as;
communication skill, skills to maintain cultural heritage, technological skill, ability to link the
agency with the local community, understanding of the protocol and procedure that need to be
follow in the region.
(Altman, Biddle and Hunter, 2018) stated that the history of Indigenous Australian should
have impact upon the ethical practices of engineering in many ways such; I have to follow the
personal cultural protocols of the Indigenous people of Australia to effectively make engagement
with them. Other than that, the history of the people limits the welcoming behaviour of the
visitor in between them for any project. Also the history will affect on the way engineer shall
perform services only in the area of their competencies. The engineering ethics are essential that
guide me as an engineer to maintain the moral principle and moral judgement to the sensitive
community. The insight is directly and indirectly connected with the ethical values of the
Indigenous Australian people and to my activity as an engineer (Sanders, 2018). The
understanding of law is essential to legally take actions in the barrier of the development of
aboriginal people in Australia.
The learning of the culture and values of Indigenous people in Australia help me to
ethically communicate with them. As an engineer this will help me when communicating in
future with the people. For the proper engagement, ground-level engagement and dialogue as
well as personal experience are essential as well more practical research is important of cross
culture. As I have interest in this, there is an opportunity for me as an engineer to make my
future in the development of the area and community as whole of Indigenous Australian. In the
fulfilling of my aim of this activity I require proper communication skills, technical skill, social
and cultural understanding about the Indigenous people in Australia (Biddle and Hunter, 2018).
The proper knowledge of the cultural values and communication skill help me in communicating
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and building engagement with Aboriginal community and as a representative engineer. In the
engineering project planning and delivery, I require to identify, manage and protect the
Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.
CONCLUSION
From the present essay it has been summarised that from the very beginning the
Indigenous people of Australia are being treated poor. I heard so many things for the Aboriginal
Australians but the actual thing has been observed by practically understanding it. The
framework that has been use in the reflection is very effective that enable individual to put every
aspect of the thought process and the steps clearly. The analysis of the history stated that
Indigenous Australians are very technological advanced and innovative but indigenous people
are under-represented in engineering.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Altman, J., 2018. In search of an outstations policy for Indigenous Australians. Canberra, ACT:
Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Research School of Social Sciences,
College of Arts & Social Sciences, The Australian National University.
Altman, J., Biddle, N. and Hunter, B., 2018. How realistic are the prospects for'closing the gaps'
in socioeconomic outcomes for Indigenous Australians?. Canberra, ACT: Centre for
Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University.
Biddle, N. and Hunter, B., 2018. Factors associated with internal migration: A comparison
between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Canberra, ACT: Centre for
Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Research School of Social Sciences, College of
Arts & Social Sciences, The Australian National University.
Sanders, W., 2018. Equality and difference arguments in Australian Indigenous affairs:
Examples from income support and housing. Canberra, ACT: Centre for Aboriginal
Economic Policy Research, Research School of Social Sciences, College of Arts &
Social Sciences, The Australian National University.
Sanders, W., 2018. Unemployment payments, the activity test and Indigenous Australians:
Understanding breach rates. Canberra, ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy
Research, Research School of Social Sciences, College of Arts & Social Sciences, The
Australian National University.
Online
Indigenous People and Communities. 2013. [Online]. Available
Through:<https://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/wpcontent/uploads/mp/files/
publications/files/brief015.v1.pdf>.
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