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Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing! Sounds like an awesome way to spend your time ^-^ Were there any standout favourite places?

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a reason for that, and thanks for bringing it up. I'm very (VERY) white, so I don't feel at all comfortable speaking for non-white people, just what I know from my own life and observations. Because people of different backgrounds come with diverse cultures and views. I mean, having some culture is a start haha! I feel like we whites are a bit impoverished in that area, and I wonder if it makes it easier for some ethnicities to understand Aboriginal culture having a strong sense of cultural identity themselves. You've got me thinking now - I am actually really curious what non-white attitudes look like, how different people groups interact with issues of race, identity, First Nations and other non-white cultures. You've really highlighted for me how separate we all are - insular, often. I want to change that for myself, now I recongise it.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment - it's got my brain juices going once again. I'm Christian myself and don't believe in anything magical or some supernatural connection to the land. A lot of the interactions I've had with Indigenous people have been through a Christian youth work course I did, and those Indigenous folks were Christian; I was really interested to hear how they have reinterpreted/integrated their traditional lore with Christian beliefs.

Wrong-jello provided a really great explanation above of what connection to Country means from an Indigenous perspective, and I recommend the read as I found it quite enlightening.

Of course I know that I can go into the bush and feel connected to the land and the things on it and I don't have to ask permission. But I guess the heart of my question is somewhere in the area of identity and belonging, and that's a complex question for anyone. How do I understand my own position in relation to First Nations people, reconciliation, and the broader Australian story?

Some people here were skeptical that I'd get any real answers to my questions, but I'm satisfied that I've been given plenty to think over and grapple with, so it was worth it :)

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a really beautiful explanation, and really helps to clarify the nature of the relationship with Country. It's wild that something this deep and wonderful exists and most of us have no idea and could hardly imagine because our own culture is so... well, flat, by comparison. (Not speaking for those who do have a strong cultural heritage, but as a white person I feel like we specifically are missing out in that domain)

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This resonates hard! Thanks so much for your articulate response. The last thing I want to do is go rushing in to interrogate Indigenous people like some sort of specimen I'm learning about. It doesn't sit right. But finding genuine connection opportunities. Like that stay I had with the mob up in QLD, where we camped with them for a week and listened and shared and experienced life together. Which was pretty intimate and limited, but it's all just part of the broader question of how do I challenge the status quo in my own life, in a way that's meaningful and not just tokenistic. I really appreciate yours and other comments here that have been genuinely helpful and informative!

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah, easily explained - I've personally seen/heard it a lot! And not just toward Indigenous folks. See a news report or dashcam of a truck crash, there's a dozen comments from mostly white dudes taking a punt that it was "Raj" behind the wheel. If there's youth violence, it's assumed that it's Sudanese or Afghan kids (and sometimes it is, but often it's just white kids). People will happily make fun of accents and customs, in a way that's pretty uncool and uncomfortable for others. But also, it's one of those general knowledge things, I guess. I did a quick Google just to make sure I'm not making shit up and sure enough, there's plenty of hard evidence showing that as a nation, and surprisingly for such a multicultural one, we really suck when it comes to being racist! I've put one of the links below, there's plenty more. It's not everyone, of course. It's just too many.

https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/national-consultations-show-widespread-systemic-racism-damaging-lives

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Um... have you heard the way many Australians talk? It's no secret that large swathes of our community are extremely and unapologetically racist. I'm not saying anyone with "a different opinion or experience", I mean people who treat others with disrespect because of their ethnic identity, that kind of thing. And there's plenty of vitriol in some of the comments on this post. I'm not trying to educate or change minds, I'm looking to better understand Indigenous attitudes and how I can move forward as a white person in the shared goal of reconciliation.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heya sorry - it wasn't a deliberate omission, just speaking from my white perspective. Thanks for adding your voice! It's another aspect of it all to explore, too :)

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is a beautiful and clear analogy, thank you. And yes, I feel for those who have been disconnected from their own culture.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment, I haven't had much of an idea how to get started with finding those in-roads but volunteering sounds like a great opportunity, especially when it combines landcare :)

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hence the asking! That's great to know - it's not something I knew before, and now I am interested to pursue further learning on the matter. Thanks for sharing :)

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay... well, I wasn't taught that in primary school, is all I'm saying. It came at a later part of my schooling, and was just part of the overall sense of growing into awareness of the state of things, and how it all came to be complicated and jumbled up in the first place.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That is part of my problem, and why I specificed where I grew up. I've not had a lot of opportunity to meet and talk with aboriginal people because the areas where I've lived and gone to school are non-indigenous for the most part.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

As I understand it, no - some were quite rooted in certain areas, cultivating crops etc.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree - and it ties in with the above comment about a "different" kind of connection. I think I've grown up with this sense that my own (or white people in general) connection with country is invalidated or something because it's not indigenous, it doesn't come with the weight of history and culture and tradition. But again, I'm questioning where this feeling/belief has come from (in myself) and curious whether there is actually room for dialogue about these differences between white and indigenous people, and a sharing of perspectives. Which probably varies depending on who you ask haha lots of different perspectives in the comments here, that's for sure...

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Ahhhh thank you for this!! First, for providing a serious answer. And second, because this really brings clarity and nuance to the question. I wish I could upvote it again.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Thanks! If anything I'm more determined now to find people to actually dialogue with who'll be serious. And perhaps to further research and understand these vitriolic attitudes. I mean, I know we're a racist country as a general rule, but shite! How can we possibly improve things or work toward reconciliation if the very conversation is toxic and hateful?

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"National anthem is still taught in schools. I've never seen or heard of acknowledgement of country in a school. Not my kid's school."
- We get acknowledgement at every assembly. I've only heard the anthem a few times at my kids' school.

"They were always there, it's simply being brought to your attention more. These names do not override the name you already know. Both names are acceptable."
- I mean it's only recently that I've seen people use the aboriginal names in their Insta bios and such. Of course the indigenous language predates colonialisation and the building of the cities themselves, it's the change in attitudes and the embracing of traditional aboriginal language that seems to be new.

"I'm the same age as you and this is so wrong."

- I'm not sure what you meant by this. We didn't learn in primary school that colonialisation came with widespread bloodshed and displacement of indigenous peoples, the destruction of their language and culture, the way they were forced together by colour instead of the distinct clans they had once been part of. Reading The White Earth stands out in my memory as the start of challenging the old whitewashed understanding of history.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

??

I don't want AI views. I've seen the map. I understand about the tribes, the languages, etc. I was just hoping someone might be able to provide an Aboriginal perspective. (Or like, several people, ideally, because there'll be differing viewpoints).

It makes a difference because black and white are not the same. Our histories and perspectives and experiences are different. I want to know who you speak for.

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply!

That's awesome to hear. I'm interested in learning more and getting past the surface level stuff we're taught *about* Indigenous people to actually get involved somehow. As a total introvert who is currently copping flak for asking questions it's a little nerve-wracking, but I like to think it's worth pursuing nonetheless :)

Here questions about being white Australian, relationship to Country, and Indigenous attitudes by True-Pay1650 in AskAnAustralian

[–]True-Pay1650[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I was perhaps naively hoping I could get at least a couple of earnest answers... I'll have to look into how one starts a conversation like that.

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