Cultural Maintenance and Trauma in Indigenous Australia
AbstractThere is compelling evidence from a broad range of indicators to demonstrate that the indigenous peoples of the world experience a state of living and health that is well below acceptable standards. In most cases where this situation exists, the cause is attributed to the impact of Western colonization and its ongoing effects. Although such a view is clearly justified, the history, complexity and prevalence of negative experiences suffered by Indigenous people deserve deeper attention and analysis. The aim of this paper is to put forward one such analysis, which relies upon the notions of cultural maintenance and cultural trauma. The analysis of culture by the author suggests that an important strategy towards addressing the anxiety related effects of cultural trauma suffered by Aboriginal Australians is through recognition and reinvigoration of Indigenous meanings and practices. One way for this to occur would be through greater acknowledgement and usage of significant Indigenous knowledge and practices within central Australian cultural institutions and practices, especially those that involve Aboriginal Australians directly. |