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This page is to give teachers some basic background information on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. The contents of this page is based on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Handbook 2010, Queensland Studies Authority.
Aboriginal Identity
Aboriginal Identity
Identity is an important concept for every person. The Christian understanding is that a person's true identity comes from being a child of God and being made in the 'image of likeness' of him.
Many Aboriginal people do not like to be referred to as either Aboriginal or Indigenous, as their identity is based on language, land and clan relationships. It is best to speak to the local community to find out how best to address them. For educational purposes, Indigenous may be relevant for a national/international context and the term Aboriginal may be used for national/international perspective. The Federal Government definition of an Aboriginal person, as defined by the Aboriginal Lands Rights Act 1983, is a person who fulfills all of the three criteria:
- is of Aboriginal descent
- identifies as an Aboriginal person
- is accepted by the Aboriginal community in which they live
(p.10).
Aboriginal Kinship
Aboriginal Kinship
God has created us to be relational people. God himself is a community of persons, who give themselves totally to each other.
Kinship is a term that describes family relationships and ties within a community. Some communities maintain strong traditional kinship ties while others maintain strong ties based on the social and family histories. In some Aboriginal communities there are no terms such as uncle, or cousin. Relationships may be either actual (blood relations) or classificatory. Some Aboriginal kinship ties may be named through animal, plant or spiritual totems (p. 9-10).
Aboriginal-The Dreaming
Aboriginal-The Dreaming
The terms 'The Dreaming' and 'Dreamings' are understood to mean Aboriginal spirituality. Dreaming is not the same as religion. Dreaming relates to the physical and metaphysical connection and belonging and holistic way of life and beliefs to Aboriginal peoples. Dreamtime is a non-Aboriginal anthropological term used by non- Aboriginal Australians. It is preferred that the term Dreaming is used instead of Dreamtime.
Terms related to Dreaming are Dreaming stories or Spiritual narratives. These inform about law, family relationships to the land, sea and food gatherings. Creation stories is also connected to the Dreaming, and are spiritual narratives positioned within the time of creation of life and the environment. (p.19-20).
Torres Strait Islander Identity
Torres Strait Islander Identity
The Federal Government definition of a Torres Strait Islander person, as defined by the Aboriginal Lands Rights Act 1983, is a person who fulfils all of the three criteria:
- is of Torres Strait Islander descent
- identifies as a Torres Strait Islander person
- is accepted by the Torres Strait Islander community in which they live
(p.15).
Torres Strait Islander Kinship
Torres Strait Islander Kinship
Kinship describes the family relationships and ties within a community. Kinship rules and lores in Torres Strait communities are diverse and founded in history and traditions. Language terms for describing kinship are often complicated. It is important to show respect for naming and reference protocols (p. 14-15).
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