Cultural Dispossession and Cultural Resilience: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Experiences of Colonising Practices
Executive Summary
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This chapter explores the elements of culture and ways in which destruction of culture has occurred through colonisation in ways that may affect a person’s behaviour, development, physical, mental, and social well-being and lead to being overrepresented in youth and adult criminal justice systems.
Cultural dispossession should be understood in the context of white colonial settler history. The colonial experience in Australia has impacted Aboriginal culture, in particular ‘language, land, resources, political autonomy, religious freedom and, often, personal autonomy’ in ways that may have a direct and adverse impact on Aboriginal people’s health, as well as social and economic wellbeing.
Dudgeon et al (2010) summarise key aspects of colonisation, observing:
Since the arrival of white people in Australia in 1788, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced displacement, been the targets of genocidal policies and practices, had families destroyed through the forcible removal of children, and continue to face the stresses of living in a world that systematically devalues their culture and people. Such experiences have profound effects on health, mental health and social and emotional wellbeing, for individuals, families and communities.
However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples maintain strong connections to their culture despite the detrimental impact of colonisation. The Commonwealth Office for the Arts in its 2013 Culture and Closing the Gap fact sheet recognised that ‘the strengthening of Indigenous culture is a strategy to reduce disadvantage in itself … Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities know and articulate the many benefits of keeping culture strong’.
The Office for the Arts cites studies which establish positive effects of culture in schooling, health, economic participation, safe communities, governance and leadership. In particular:
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Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures contain natural protective and wellbeing factors such as kinship networks; and language, culture and cultural identity have been found to be key protective factors that predict resilience in children.
- Connection to land, family, culture and spirituality can protect against ill health and serious psychological distress.
A 2021 Review of the Cultural Determinants of Health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People concluded that cultural identity at an individual level:
is important to benefiting from other cultural determinants of health [, while] self-determination and connection to culture and community-controlled organisations are integral factors to increase Aboriginal resilience and resistance and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
The Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators Report (2020) noted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have strengths and capabilities, such as connections with kin, cultural practices and attitudes towards Elders that can be built upon.
Strategies to further strengthen Indigenous culture can reduce disadvantage if governments invest in ‘locally based, culturally informed healing and empowerment programs for families and communities’ that ‘emphasise culture and supportive relationships … and foster core capabilities … and cultural norms’.
Attachments to land, family and culture have ‘natural protective and wellbeing factors such as kinship networks; and language, culture and cultural identity [are] key protective factors that predict resilience in children’. They also improve likelihood of employment, reduction in alcohol abuse and being charged by police or being a victim of violence.