In the social services field in Australia, clients of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background need to be considered in a special way from those of other cultural backgrounds. In this presentation the author draws on his personal experience, and also draws on the knowledge and experience of others, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to provide some important information.

1. Working With Aboriginal & TS
Islander Communities
By Mike Friganiotis (with help
from Indigenous and other staff)

2. Indigenous Australians
Someone who is a descendant of an
Indigenous Australian, who identifies
as Indigenous, and who is recognised
as Indigenous by members of their
community.

3. Australia’s Indigenous Cultures
• Aboriginal – from mainland, Tasmania and
other islands e.g. Stradbroke, Groote
• Torres Strait Islander – between top of
Queensland and Papua New Guinea –
more than 100 islands, but only about 17
are inhabited.
• 2% of the entire Aust. population

4. The Dreaming
• Aboriginal philosophy is known as the
Dreaming.
• Based on the inter-relation of all people
and all things.
• The remote pasts of the Spirit Ancestors,
which live on in the legends handed down
through stories, art, ceremony and songs.

5. The Dreaming
• The Dreaming explains the origin of the
universe and workings of nature and
humanity.
• It shapes and structures life through the
regulation of kinship, family life and the
relations between the sexes, with a variety
of obligations to people, land and spirits

6. Breaking Stereotypes - Alcohol
• More alcohol consumption than nonIndigenous?
• Many Indigenous Australians do not drink
alcohol at all.
• 32% Indigenous are non-drinkers
compared to 16% of non-indigenous
people.

7. Breaking Stereotypes - Walkabout
• Going ‘Walkabout”?
• Indigenous people see themselves as belonging
to the land, rather than owning it. T.S. Islanders
see themselves more as ‘owners’ of the land.
• Before European settlement, Aboriginal
Australians were a nomadic people. TS
Islanders are a seafaring people and more
settled.
• As a result no one area became over-hunted or
overused.

8. Breaking Stereotypes - Image
• Negative image?
• Many Indigenous people are living
successful lives & achieving great things.
• This is despite a large amount of negative
exposure in mainstream media.

9. Breaking Stereotypes - Image
• Positive image?
• 1967 Referendum – indigenous people given
citizenship and the right to vote.
• Mabo decision (1992) - rejected Terra Nullius ruled that the land title of Indigenous Peoples is
recognised at common law.
• Prime Minister Rudd saying ‘sorry’ (Feb, 2008) apology to all Aborigines and the Stolen
Generations for their "profound grief, suffering
and loss".

10. Family Relationships
• Traditional relationships are complex.
• Relations are decided not only by blood &
marriage.
• People from the same language groups are also
often referred to as family.
• Torres Strait people are one large ‘family’ unit.
Under their culture they are related from Mer
Island in the East to Boigu Island in the West,
and Northern Peninsula communities in the
South.

11. Family Relationships - Kinship
• Kinship determines an Indigenous
person’s extended family & land.
• Kinship is central to the Indigenous
community
• Kinship defines where a person fits in to
the community & decides what rights &
responsibilities each person has within
that community.

12. Family Relationships
• Indigenous families tend to live in larger
households.
• Indigenous people rarely live alone.
• Extended family members view it as a
natural responsibility to share food,
clothing, money and housing.
• Families provide an important support
network.

13. Family Relationships
The family plays an important role in
traditional cultural practices and
ceremonies.

14. Family Relationships - Elders
• Held in high regard and treated with great
respect.
• Role models, educators, and advisors for
traditional (a) language (interpretation &
pronunciation) (b) practice & protocols.
• Key decision makers.
• Play an important role in upbringing of children,
especially grandmothers, who are also a source
of love & security.
• Elders are keepers of the Culture

15. Family Relationships – Uncles &
Aunties
• Used as a term of respect for older people
in the community.
• Uncles & Aunties do not need to be blood
relations.
• Uncles & Aunties are the ‘preventative’
advisers and supporters of the children
while father is the ‘judge & jury’ –
prevention is better than the cure!

16. Family Relationships - Children
• Children are the responsibility of the entire
community.
• Children may live or stay with family
members other than their parents –
sometimes for long periods.
• Children are important for the future and
continuation of the culture.

17. Family Relationships - Children
• In TS Islander communities, traditional
“adoption” is a widespread practice – when a
child is permanently transferred to another
extended family member. The adoption is rarely
legalised in the Western sense.
• Arrangements are made as early as the unborn
child & it is considered ‘legal’ for the child to
have the same entitlements as the other
child/children of the family e.g. property, boat.

18. Family Relationships - Children
The whole family may be involved in
making the decision of who raises the
child.

19. Family Relationships - Marriage
• May not adhere to the Christian concept of
marriage.
• May adhere to structures, such as land
ownership traditions, to decide relationships
such as marriage.
• May be ‘degrees’ of marriage e.g. not husband
& wife until they have children.
• Most marriages are not planned.
• In a de-facto relationship the child is entitled to
any of his/her father’s property.

20. Cultural Sensitivity
• No single Indigenous culture.
• Some stories & ceremonies open to all.
• Some are disclosed only to those who
have a right to know – sensitive & sacred.
• Men’s business & women’s business.
• Children introduced to secret business as
they reach the appropriate age.

21. Cultural Sensitivity - Dreaming
• Many Dreaming stories have levels of
meaning open to all, whereas others
require a certain level of knowledge.
• There be severe penalties for
unauthorised access to, or disclosure of,
knowledge.

22. Cultural Sensitivity – Sorry
Business
• The period of mourning for the deceased is
commonly known as Sorry Business.
• In many communities it is prohibited to name
someone who is deceased.
• Generally, the face of a deceased person should
not be shown without warning.
• Whenever there’s a death, it is not
recommended to visit or have meetings in the
community – may be considered
insulting/offensive to the bereaved community.

23. Cultural Sensitivity Communication
• Aboriginal English may be difficult to understand
at first.
• Listen closely & speak in a clear manner.
• Don’t mimic language or speech patterns.
• If silent, a person may be listening, thinking,
remaining non-committed, or waiting for
community support or input.
• TS Islanders have difficulty in communication,
but will not show it. Most of the time they will
agree, just to get away.

24. Cultural Sensitivity Communication
• A person may not immediately express
their own opinion. They may listen to
others before offering their own views.
• People are more likely to respond to an
indirect question than a very blunt or direct
one.
• They may not respond to a question
where the answer is already known.

25. Cultural Sensitivity Communication
• People may also prefer to defer to a more
authoritative person.
• In some cultures, it is considered rude or
disrespectful to look someone straight in
the eye.
• Pointing at people when emphasising
something should be avoided.

26. Working Together
• Take the time to introduce yourself to the local
community.
• Perhaps start with the local Medical Service,
Land Council or Legal Service.
• Explain what you have to offer.
• Ask if they require specific assistance or
information.
• Phone or use written correspondence to seek
approval prior to entering/visiting the community.

27. Working Together
• Find out who the traditional owners are.
• Note that the meanings of ceremonies and
practices differ from place to place.
• Before a big event or function, it may be
appropriate to consider an
Acknowledgement of Country or Official
Welcome to show respect.

28. Working Together
• Make an effort to get to know the
Indigenous people of your community.
• Ask them how they think you can best
help them with their issues.
When the whole community works
together, it can only become stronger.