Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have lived in Australia for at least 65 000 years, having first arrived via a land bridge that once connected Australia with Papua New Guinea. Some key points to note: • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations flourished with strong family connections and deep spiritual connection with the land. • More than 500 distinct nations developed across the country, each with unique geographic boundaries. • Cultural and language differences existed between nations, but they were linked by kinship and connection to Country. • Kinship established relationships and responsibilities within the community and is still central in contemporary Australian culture. • Country refers to more than a physical location; it signifies a sacred place that must be protected and preserved. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is seen as the origin of the close connection many Australians have with their natural environment. 19.3.3 European settlement The arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the subsequent development of colonial settlements across Australia significantly altered the country’s physical and cultural landscapes. The first meetings between European settlers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples were mostly peaceful. This changed as settlers began to push Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples away from their lands, and cultural differences and misunderstandings between the two groups led to growing conflict. Competition for resources, resistance against the Europeans and the introduction of European diseases such as smallpox decimated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By 1798 — just 20 years after the arrival of the First Fleet — it is estimated that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population had been reduced by 90 per cent.
SkillBuilder discussion Investigating contemporary Civics and Citizenship issues 1. European settlers brought diseases, resulting in devastating population losses of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. What do you know about smallpox and why would this have affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of the time? 2. Can we compare this to modern-day pandemics? Discuss.
FIGURE3 An extract from a letter by Newton Fowell, an early British settler in Australia, known for his role in the First Fleet. Every boat that went down the harbour found them lying dead on the beaches and in the caverns of the rocks … They were generally found with the remains of a small fire on each side of them and some water left within their reach. Lieutenant Fowell, 1789 Source: taken from First Fleet Texts. http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2015/D36453/a619.html Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales Letter received by John Fowell from Newton Fowell, 31 July 1790 Page 3 MLMSS 4895/1/21
Not only did these interactions with Europeans have a horrific impact at the time, but they have continued to influence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leaving a legacy of disadvantage and marginalisation . Unfortunately, we still see aspects of this disadvantage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities today, as detailed in TABLE1 ; measurements of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are lower than those of non-indigenous Australians in all indicators listed.
TOPIC19 Citizenship, diversity and identity 571
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator