Indigenous Australians
by Janette Nicoll
Growing up in Sydney in the 1950's I remember I was in awe of our aboriginal people. I did not actually see a real aboriginal person until I was about 16. We were never taught anything in school about their culture or their beliefs; nothing.
Even though it was never said in actual words, but as a child I grew up thinking there was something wrong with them. In other words it was OK to take their children from them as they did not know what they were doing and we (the white population) would teach them to right way to live!
And even now in the new century, in 2007 we are still trying to change their way of life. The white fellas, who introduced them to alcohol and other drugs, we who stole their children and lands, we who have degraded their culture and their spirit, still invade their lives with our way of life.
This scenario is not just part of the indigenous scandal of Australia, but everywhere on the planet where white man has established communities.
Sorrow runs deep inside me for indigenous cultures worldwide.
Indigenous means native to an area, the original people of the lands, which is a vast difference to an introduced population of humans from another land. How wonderful it would have been if the native culture and lore was embraced and accepted by the explorers and settlers when inhabiting a new land.
Now in my later years I still feel that same sense of awe for the Australian Native Aboriginal.
Like with others who have taken the time to find out the customs and the spiritual nature of our indigenous people, I find that they have a greater understanding of how to live as spiritual human beings, in harmony with nature and the earth.
In my heart I see a connection with the lore of the land and the ceremonies of the indigenous people, to allow us to live in the peace and harmony we all desire.
Australian Aborigines have the longest continuous cultural history of any group of people on Earth - dating back - 65,000 years.
The Dream Time of the Australian Native Aboriginal
'Aboriginal Dreamtime' is part of aboriginal culture which explains the origins and culture of the land and its people.
The dreamtime tells stories about what happened in the world at creation, how the universe evolved, how human beings were created and how the Creator intended for humans to live within the cosmos.
It tells us every action we take leaves behind a vibrational residue in the earth.
The land - its mountains, trees, rocks, riverbeds, and waterholes - and these vibrations echo through the living land.
Legends of the Dreamtime are handed down by word or by totem from generation to generation.
It involves some secret rituals and rites, and some classified as 'Men's Business' and some as 'Women's Business'.
Dreaming is different to the dreamtime which is about before and the creation, dreaming is about stories of particular tribes and their beliefs.
There is dreaming to be shared here:
www.dreamtime.net.au/dreaming/storylist.htm
It is a wonderful journey reading the dreaming and has for me anyway, given a greater understanding of the native people of Australia and this wondrous land we live in.
"It is through such journeys and the gathering of groups to share their experiences that much of the `tribal old ways' will be revealed, linking us to that ancient wisdom of natural inter-connection. Thus, I feel shamanism in its many forms can significantly contribute to peace and wellbeing, both personal and global."
Nevill Drury - Nature & Health Magazine. Vol 9 No 2.
What Now? The 21st Century
At this stage in our human history, as we finally understand that the way we have been living our lives is not in sync with the earth or the cosmos, we find ourselves delving into and researching Indigenous Cultures, seeking, looking for solutions to our earth problems.
Many among the scientific community seem convinced that without the cooperation of indigenous peoples, there is no way to reverse the loss of biodiversity.Sorry, I will ask forgiveness and extend my hand in kinship to, not just the Australian Aboriginal but to all the rightful indigenous peoples of all lands. Sorry, such a small word but as Elton John said 'it seems to be the hardest word', why I do not understand.
"Nature conservation is at the heart of the cultures and values of traditional societies," according to Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the U.N. Convention on Biodiversity. "The link between biodiversity and traditional knowledge is evident."
(Source: RIGHTS: Native Peoples Renew Call for U.N. Recognition)
As Ahmed Djoghlaf said, "The link between biodiversity and traditional knowledge is evident."
We must learn to live in harmony with the earth, there is no other way for the future of mankind, unless we stop destroying the natural resources and learn to give back what we have taken, we will roam this earth as lost souls, never finding the joy of life, the way it was supposed to be experienced.
My apologies to Indigenous Australians if my words to do not express exactly the meanings of the Dreamtime or the Dreaming, but they come from my heart: I am only a white fella.