SOCU 5012 Assignment -1ID: 110280491_Mini Vithayathil
I was very much influenced by the way Aboriginal Australians refer to their traditional
land. Aboriginal people refer their traditional land and relate their family to ‘country’, and
they perceive ‘country’ as the fundamental characteristic of their identity. That means
incursion of their land and occupying in it is not a physical loss of their land and power
for them but it is causing disruption to their language, beliefs and social concepts which
are central to their culture and heritage (Clarke 2015; Stanner 1965). This made me
realize that the indigenous people, as being the first people of Australia, give so much
importance to their culture, identity, tradition and beliefs that they are trying to retain
those fundamental cultural aspects and beliefs in every possible way and they maintain
their relation towards their culture, heritage and ethnicity by participating in every
possible areas of contemporary life. My understanding and my own perceptions to
Aboriginal people was considerably stuck by knowing the depraved fights that they had
to encounter in the past for establishing their identity (Bach & Larson 2017). However, I
was completely overwhelmed by knowing that the indigenous communities were not
intending to give up their hope in spite of being segregated.
Another aspect of globalization that I noticed to have an effect on their culture would be
the use of a common language for global communication. The use of English language
as the language of communication across the globe has limited the chances of
Aboriginal people to save their languages alive. Moreover, the knowledge and skills of
Aboriginal people are being used commercially around the globe without taking their
consent. Misuse of the indigenous knowledge, products and artifacts is happening since
many years may be from the start of globalisation (Moahi 2007). Indigenous knowledge
has been defined as the knowledge, notions and practices that are unique to a specific
community and symbolize their community’s identity and the way they continue their
existance and preserving the natural world they discover themselves in (Jones 2003).
Indigenous knowledge also being represented as an approach that has been practiced
by communities to solve common problems of life, for example, production of food,
health, education, the environment (Kiggund, 2007, pp. 26-47).
SOCU 5012 Assignment -1ID: 110280491_Mini Vithayathil
My learning experience through this course readings made me to recognize that it is
important to locate Indigenous perspective within a global context as it is essential to
recognise the differences and individuality of Indigenous people and therefore it is
necessary to recognize their rights of sovereignty i.e. the rights to preserve, govern,
guard and advance their cultural heritage, their traditional knowledge, traditional cultural
languages, intellectual property together with their scientific expressions, technical
skills comprising human and genetic reserves, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the
properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional
games and visual and performing arts (UN 2007; AIATSIS). It is very important to
recognize the traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions of indigenous
people as they are integral part of their cultural heritage that is followed in their cultural
practices which are passed down from generations to generations in expressing their
cultural identity. Therefore, I acknowledge that recognizing and valuing the Indigenous
knowledge, practices and novelties in a global context is very important.
I could very much relate the Indigenous concept of ‘Self Identity’ as it very similar to the
concept I follow in my culture and belief. ‘Self Identity’ concept of Indigenous people is
really an unassailable characteristic of this inter-dependent world. ‘Self identity’ for
indigenous people is holistically well-defined with regards to “kinship, ritual, spiritual
relationships, and responsibilities, all of which are inseparable from each other and the
land, that is, nature itself” (Morgan, D, Slade & Morgan, C 1997, p.598). The Indigenous
‘self’ understandably considered as an ‘expanded’ self, giving importance to their sense
of family or as a collective. For Aboriginal people, sense of ‘self’ originate from their
kinship ties which include their ancestors and community and individual aspects are not
considered significant compared to their kinship bonds and country (Yeo 2003). The
core component that is fundamental to the Indigenous self-concept is their state of
being joined or linked (Kirmayer 2007). Indigenous concept of ‘self’ is me in my family
because for me my identity is related to my culture, my family, my ancestors and my
traditions and my belief although everything has changed now as most of our younger
generation don’t understand this concept.
SOCU 5012 Assignment -1ID: 110280491_Mini Vithayathil
For me, the most important skills that we need to develop in our young people is a
feeling of empathy which help them to understand and engage with other people of
different ages and cultures. Empathy being a very influential feeling helps them to
recognise and understand people from different culture and ethnicity and it is an
essential requirement for accomplishing reconciliation in humanity. If the young people
can cultivate an understanding about the difference in cultures it will definitely help them
to change their feeling towards other community people making them more
compassionate towards others. It will also encourage them to appreciate diversity by
which we could hopefully weaken growing racist viewpoints. I believe that those young
people, who have established social and emotional skills will be more comfortable to
cope themselves, connect with others, improve flexibility and a sense of self-esteem,
stop fights, participate in fellowship and will be more optimistic and confident about
themselves and with the world surrounding them. Therefore, I acknowledge History
studies should be far-reaching and deeper and more accountable history education
should be encouraged to learn more about diversity of history and culture.
Unquestionably learning Western Civilisation is also necessary as part of our curriculum
however, I consider, Australian history is more important than this, as the students need
to understand diverse cultures, religion and socio-economic organisation, both
historically and currently. I realise that all that we see and learn in our classrooms is
mainly the Australian perceptions and I understand that most Indigenous students are
struggling to make them to be fit in the class-room. Therefore in my professional
practice I would be rectifying the imbalance in my classroom and I would be bringing
more Aboriginal study materials that help the students to learn more about Indigenous
cultures which will definitely enhance students’ perceptions of Australia and rich
Australian history and I am sure It will make a difference in Aboriginal students when
they see their cultures, their histories and communities reproduced on their classroom
walls and in the foyers of their school.
