Moving On
Culture
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) cultures are dynamic and have adapted to the modern world surrounding them. The world is looking at Australia’s Indigenous cultures with special interest, in particular the people’s spiritual connection to place through the Dreaming. The world’s oldest surviving, living culture is appreciated for its values of custodianship, family/kinship bonds and oral traditions through stories, songs and artwork. Cultural tourists are fascinated by ATSI cultures that were largely ignored throughout the history of colonisation. The impact of this devaluing of the Indigenous cultures has been devastating over the last two centuries and has led to appalling health conditions and economic dependence in many communities. However, Australia’s Indigenous people have survived and a new era is evolving through attitudinal change.
Despite the culture being valued internationally, many mainstream Australians have been slow to understand and appreciate the depth and complexity of Indigenous cultures and languages. 
‘Indigenous Australians live within a bicultural world where they are constantly crossing over from Indigenous ‘way’ into mainstream culture and back again. By and large, this has not led to a dilution of Indigenous identity. Rather, the identity of Indigenous Australians today is often defined as Islander or Aboriginal in contrast to mainstream identity. Today as part of the efforts at promoting their cultural survival Indigenous Australians are returning to regional and local clan affiliations (TSI, Warlpiri, Nunga, Nyungar etc) as their main identity indicators.’
Cultural separation is a striking feature of Australian demographics.
‘This separation of two worlds is not simply a cultural matter. It is also a product of recent Australian history, during much of which Indigenous Australians were either in conflict with, or excluded by, the dominating western society. This history of conflict and exclusion has led to the adaptation of Standard Australian English as an Aboriginal language which resists the pull into the ‘mainstream’. For example, due to the ‘culture of resistance’ which has developed Aboriginal English includes many features which actually decrease the level of mutual intelligibility, such as inverting meanings to be opposites in the two languages.’ 
Added to this is the intolerable suffering caused by dispossession, disease, government policies and racism. All mainstream Australians need to understand why Aboriginal identity continues to be separately maintained.

Working Both Ways
As ATSI people try to maintain their cultural integrity, in the face of a dominant non – Indigenous society, many Australians are now looking for a ‘working both ways’ approach to interaction between the two worlds. Indigenous Australians see a need to gain control of the two knowledge and linguistic systems to move successfully into the future. Similarly, non – Indigenous Australians can see things from the ‘two – way’ perspective, appreciating the value of Indigenous culture. Rather than dominating most interactions, non – Indigenous Australians have the chance to work proactively towards countering disadvantage by fostering Indigenous employment and actively creating opportunities for ATSI people. Reconciliation in the land of the ‘fair go’ can commence with attitudes which value multiculturalism and the uniqueness of ATSI cultures. It is not about ‘special treatment’ – it is about respect and acceptance of difference, and moving on to address the discrepancies in life opportunities. 

Around the country cultural tourism ventures, Indigenous heritage units, community councils and cultural centres are developing informative programs recognising the unique role and expertise that local Aboriginal people can offer as ‘traditional custodians’. Through the involvement of the wider community these centres provide Indigenous perspectives on the management of lands and waters, and raise awareness of the management and protection of Indigenous cultural heritage. ATSI people involved in these cultural programs: 
•	provide links to Aboriginal communities
•	link Aboriginal communities to organisations
•	build and maintain cultural information
•	run cultural heritage information programs
•	develop education resources
•	liaise with Elders, community leaders and the wider Aboriginal community on cultural heritage issues
•	give guidance and expertise in cultural interpretation.

Healing and Health
Many Indigenous people are dealing with serious issues of survival,  financially, emotionally and physically, on a daily basis. The health of Indigenous people is not improving. 
‘ATSI people have the lowest life expectancy in a first world nation and ATSI people present twice as much to hospitals than any other minority group. The causes of these problems are poverty, including low incomes, unemployment, limited education, discrimination, unresolved trauma and lack of empowerment.’ 
Many health professionals nationally have identified the need for formal cultural awareness programs so that health providers can work in a manner that is ‘culturally safe’ for the patient/client. The program at the Austin Repatriation Hospital (Melbourne) is one example where ‘cultural safety requires providers from the majority culture to challenge their own stereotyped views of a minority culture. It promotes positive recognition of diversity’.
Indigenous Health programs around the country are having a positive effect for ATSI people by:
•	breaking down the fear of the health system 
•	overcoming the impact of poverty with educational and material resources
•	providing information about the health system and treatments
•	bringing out good news stories in positive marketing
•	ensuring treatments are the same as for other patients
•	ensuring case management avoids service gaps and inconsistency
•	avoiding isolation, enabling involvement with liaison officers, family and community networks
•	avoiding disillusionment with health issues and dealing with them
•	challenging values, perceptions and complacency among ATSI people to take responsibility for their health
•	informing health professionals about ATSI issues to avoid judgemental assumptions
•	recognising ATSI identity and respecting culture in health contexts.

Youth and Education
The concept of money was only introduced into Australia around 200 years ago. The arrival of money saw most Indigenous people deprived of their self determination, economic independence, cultural identity and basic human rights. Welfare reliance has had a multi-generational impact. Also reconciliation and moving on from the legacy of Australia’s ‘hidden history’ have been denied by current government policy. A healing process, acknowledging the suffering brought to Indigenous people post ’invasion’ is required; led by the heads of government, through all organisations, and modelled by schools and parents. ‘Children are not racist, they learn it’.
Indigenous people nation-wide agree that education and employment are the keys to turning around the current appalling conditions many Indigenous communities endure. National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) research has found that seven key factors can improve educational delivery for Indigenous Australians:
1.	Community ownership and involvement
2.	Acceptance of Indigenous identities, cultures, knowledge and values
3.	Working in true partnerships
4.	Flexibility in course design and content
5.	Quality staff and committed advocacy
6.	Extensive and appropriate student support services
7.	Appropriate funding that allows for sustainability.

Employment
To begin the process of ’inclusion’ a process of ’Indigenisation’ has been suggested by contemporary thinkers, Terry Kildea and Linc Yow Yeh, from Kangan Batman’s Koori Centre, Gunung Willam Balluk. The process of Indigenisation would enable the creation of job opportunities, mentoring and the development of real work skills. An active job creation process can occur, enabling communities to fully develop their business plans and work towards financial independence. Meaningful work is the solution to the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous communities. The people have been disadvantaged for 200 years and have become welfare dependent. To break this cycle people need to be able to work and be successful. ‘Put a black face behind every desk and educate people both ways’. It starts with cultural awareness leading to cultural sensitivity and empowerment. This suggestion is not a quick fix ’social security scheme’ but an expensive, carefully planned inter-generational strategy supporting self determination so that it works.
The first Australians’ culture and spirituality, ancient links with and custodianship of this land are unique. Their cultural diversity, their contribution to European settlement, to exploration and to the war efforts has been significant. Sport and art are also major contributions. Australians now have the opportunity to foster a new attitude of acceptance towards Indigenous people’s unique contribution to this nation. As a starting point, Australians can stand side by side, unified in the common goal of Reconciliation through accepting and valuing the First Peoples of this nation.

Is a nation wide ‘First Australians’ public holiday called for, to acknowledge our Indigenous peoples? 
Torres Strait Islanders have similar issues to mainland Aboriginal people and they hope to keep their traditions and cultures alive. They would like government policy to change to enable them to regain land and sea rights. Self management is the goal and repossession of their traditional islands would build self esteem and the confidence to develop businesses and run their own finances. Developing independence in this way could ultimately lead to the development of a separate island state. At this stage in the Islands development the main issue is to educate the young people so that they can work both ways – island way and western way. Equipping the young with the ability to move between the two cultures and to gain employment is a priority.
Torres Strait Islanders have a major concern with global warming. Many of the islands are low lying and potentially threatened by sea level change. The threat of rising sea levels jeopardising island life caused by greenhouse gases from other parts of the world is unacceptable. It is hoped that government policy will change to support the Kyoto Protocol to help reduce gas emissions globally and protect the islands under threat.

References 
Malcolm, Ian et al. 1999, Towards more user friendly education for speakers of Aboriginal English, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.

National Centre for Vocational Education Research 2005, ‘Working together to assist Indigenous people in VET’, in Insight, November (Issue 20), p. 6.

Nayler, Daryl 2005, ATSI hospital handbook, Austin Repatriation Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.

Peters, Eddie 2006, Interview, March, Interactive Ochre Steering Committee, Adelaide, Australia.

Rigney, Cecil 2005, Interview, Loxton Campus, Murray Institute of TAFE, South Australia.

Singh, Sarina et al. 2001, Aboriginal Australia & the Torres Strait Islands: a guide to Indigenous Australia, Lonely Planet, Footscray, Victoria.

Yeh, Linc Yow 2004, Interview, Koori Music Program, Gunung Willam Ballack, Broadmeadows Campus, Kangan Batman TAFE, Melbourne, Victoria.