This discussion paper explores issues of identity that have unwittingly been adopted by Aborigine peoples of Australia, identities that were created by non-Indigenous Australians, but which have filtered into the Indigenous communities with disastrous effect.\u00a0 White Australians, for instance, view Indigenous peoples as lacking in education, healthcare, and economic development.\u00a0 They try to make these peoples more mainstream (more Western), and in the process removes control of their lifestyles from the Aborigines.\u00a0 The seeming deficit that plagues Indigenous peoples carries with it negative connotations and stereotyping.<\/p>\n
The paper shows that the \u201cstereotype threat\u201d\u2014where peoples may not believe in the stereotypes themselves, but they are deeply affected because they know that others subscribe to them\u2014is a significant issue that carries currency for Australian Aborigines.\u00a0 This even causes divisiveness among tribes as some tribes view others as more or less \u201cAboriginal\u201d than the others.<\/p>\n
The paper summarizes a workshop held in 2009 at the University of Queensland, and attended by 16 Aborigines from various tribes.\u00a0 The workshop provided a safe place for these members of various backgrounds to discuss the issues and explore possible solutions.<\/p>\n
The workshop was conducted not following the agenda of non-Indigenous peoples, but on the Aborigine\u2019s terms.\u00a0 The workshop followed the Engoori method, which is an Aborigine practice focusing on strengths by 1)\u00a0 Remembering and reconnecting with the what makes people strong 2) Re-examining and re-learning behaviors, and abandoning those that are harmful 3) recreating and renewing.\u00a0 The workshop was designed to reverse the practice of lateral violence (performing acts of violence among members of the same Indigenous group instead of at the system that imposed the false identity in the first place).<\/p>\n
They took as their model a similar workshop convened in 2007 which aimed to develop strong relationships between the Ipswich Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islanders , and the Australian government.\u00a0 The participants identified six issues to address:\u00a0 developing a sense of place, space and center; maintaining strong family ties; strengthening the capacity of organizations and groups; renewing traditions and customs; acquiring education and skills for employment; exploring ways to be financially independent.\u00a0 The idea was to remove the cultural \u201cideals\u201d imposed on these people by non-Indigenous peoples.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on what they wanted, what they didn\u2019t have, and what they needed, the participants, who represented varying backgrounds and ages were encouraged to focus on what made them strong, what they had, and what they could do.<\/p>\n
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