Aboriginal Identity
Two things can be true at the same time.
This is me at the 2023 Yajilarra Festival where the Bunuba Choir danced with the Joonba dancers and then sang with Fitzroy Xpress.
It was mostly made up of Danggu Bunuba Women from Broome, who came from Bunuba people, who'd been taken off country. We came together to learn Bunuba Girl.
Aboriginal Identity is a really painful, personal process for a lot of people that has nothing at all to do with money.
You can be Aboriginal and fair skinned.
You can be Aboriginal and still be learning language.
You can be Aboriginal and live away from your traditional country.
You can be Aboriginal and work.
You can be Aboriginal and not drink alcohol at all.
You can be Aboriginal and not do traditional dance and instead dance hip hop.
You can be Aboriginal and keep it to yourself through fear of judgement. Yes even in 2026.
Aboriginal Identity is incredibly diverse and there are over 200 language groups and areas of country.
Reducing identity down to a certain skin colour and criteria sheet is incredibly unhelpful.
Cultural safety is about creating an environment that is safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This means there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity and experience.
Cultural safety is about:
Shared respect, shared meaning and shared knowledge
The experience of learning together with dignity and truly listening
Strategic and institutional reform to remove barriers to the optimal health, wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal people.
This includes addressing unconscious bias, racism and discrimination, and supporting Aboriginal self-determination
Individuals, organisations and systems ensuring their cultural values do not negatively impact on Aboriginal peoples, including addressing the potential for unconscious bias, racism and discrimination
Individuals, organisations and systems ensuring self-determination for Aboriginal people.
This includes sharing power (decision-making and governance) and resources with Aboriginal communities. It's especially relevant for the design, delivery and evaluation of services for Aboriginal people.
#aboriginal #auntylisa
#CulturalSafety
