I've heard this opinion by some people recently that they think the acknowledgement of country is overused and I just wanted to see what other Aboriginal people's opinions are?
I'm of the opinion personally that I think it's found a good place in our society. It's mainly used at meetings, sporting events, conferences, etc. to remind people of the lands that they're on. It's not like people are sitting down and forced to acknowledge country before every meal (like we were forced to do with prayer... Um but yer that's another story). I think it's used pretty appropriately most of the time, most people are sincere when they say it, it's usually shared around as a responsibility which I think is also important. I just can't understand why so many people are complaining about it?

I know at the end of the day and acknowledgment isn't going to change anything. But I just think it's a good reminder, when used in the right settings, of which Aboriginal land you're currently on, and the fact that it is, always was and always will be Aboriginal land. Also a good reminder to respect your elders and of how far we've come because of their tireless efforts and guidance.

But what are other people's thoughts? I'm happy to hear opinions for or against the matter.

I’ve been doing a deep dive into my family ancestry, really trying to find out more about my ancestors from the early 1800s from whatever records that have managed to still be available today. The simple reason for this is because my father was finally able to connect and meet his biological father (my biological grandfather), which his identity was kept a secret for pretty much my dad’s whole life. Sadly the consequences of this have been really sad for my dad which has had a lasting impact on his mental health, but it’s nice to see him reconnect with his father and hopefully have a more positive life moving forward.

Anyway, after being given some information from my grandfather (lives in SA) and searching the internet, ordering birth, death, marriage certificates my roots seem to trace back to the Wamba Wemba peoples in NSW. I live in Vic within the Wadawurrung nation. I want to start learning and connecting with culture. But obviously the land where my ancestors come from is far away from where I live. What steps can I take to start connecting with culture. Is it a good idea to reach out Wadawurrung for assistance and get involved here locally even if my ancestor roots are from another area?

If anyone has advice or has been in a similar situation, please share. Would love to hear your thoughts.

I collect instruments, any instruments and i had no idea that women were forbidden to own didgeridoos, what should i do?

I registered my baby the other day and ticked part of aboriginal origin. It was fairly easy but maybe a little too easy then it got me thinking anyone can actually tick the box and claim they are aboriginal when they’re not. There’s no documents to upload from an elder or uncle. I wonder if people do that to claim the benefits

Hi there, this might be a bit of a random question and I hope it isn’t offensive.

My husband and I are Eastern Europeans who weren’t born in Australia and we just bought an acreage on the Central Coast. It’s normal in our cultures to cleanse homes when moving into them. However, since these aren’t our ancestral lands we were wondering if there was an aboriginal smoking or cleansing type of ceremony that could be arranged? We basically want to make sure that it’s okay for us to live on this land and that we get the spiritual green light lol Us Eastern European folk are all about good juju

Sorry if this sounds weird or over the top but it’s big in our culture. Is something like this possible? Do you know how we could arrange it? And is it okay for non indigenous people to arrange a smoking ceremony?

hey so im just an amateur history/archaeology/anthropology nerd looking on yt trying to find content about particularly the site of nawarla gabarnmang and the wandjina religion of the kimberley region of wa, but most of the stuff ive been finding is usually just atlantis or mu conspiracy theories or other kinds of ai slop, are there any good quality/well-researched archaeology/anthropology/historiography documentaries that feature a genuine indigenous perspective akin to someone like the late Margaret Katherine of the Jawoyn or other experienced elder voice? i would also love a doc from the gunditjmara perspective on their systems of eel farming and aquaculture since thats def also a super fascinating topic that just ends up being a 45 sec ai voiceover yt short. thanks.

I've been searching online for a bit, and i can't find any way to purchase it. His own website says it's abailable through spotify, itunes, google, or amazon. I'm not willing to give any of those companies any money. I heard Walanbaa on the radio today, and i doubt they're streaming the track onto the airwaves, so it must be available some other way. Does anybody know anywhere else i could find it?

Thanks in advance

I work for an organisation that’s hosting an event next week. A few months ago someone approached us offering to be a cultural advisor and do the Acknowledgement of Country. He also offered to do a short talk and play some didgeridoo. This person introduced themselves with the Country they live on, the Country they’re originally from, information about their education background and proficiency in an Aboriginal Language.

Now I have not been the contact with this person, but after going through their social media, it’s become clear that this is someone who is clearly passionate about Aboriginal culture, but not Aboriginal themselves. They have worked with elders in their local rural community.

I have concerns how this will be received at a large event in a more metro location, for transparency I am white. Personally I feel a little strange about this and it is now so close to the event. How do you feel about this?

Ps. I have tried connecting with the local land council a few times, they have not responded to emails/calls, and another local service to collaborate for this event but they have not had capacity to take on another project.

Just looking to gain some community insight as part of a broader study into how Aboriginal organisations represent Indigeneity differently to the mainstream news media. Are there any consistent instances of othering or stereotyping you feel or you've found from the 'mainstream' media? Any misrepresentation or underrepresentation of Aboriginal issues or topics? Responses are research for UTS

Any small help is appreciated :)

https://www.reddit.com/r/endangeredlanguages/comments/1g88i32/kayardild_language_the_least_spoken_language_in/

Hey mob, fellow indigenous person here. Which politician Australia do you like and dislike the most?

Hey everyone, I’m a Wiradjuri woman and I’m finishing up my education degree this year and was looking to get a tattoo to symbolise that and the journey I’ve gone through with this If anyone would be able to help out with a design, that would be amazing

In a few months I will be travelling for a visit to Country and meeting a man who I have been learning from for years via his YouTube channel and recently correspondence. While he does not consider himself an Elder, he has been a main point of my learning about my own culture and language, and our meeting will continue this. I would like to bring him a gift to thank him for everything he has provided to me- teachings, connection to my mob and personal advice. Is this appropriate? And if so, what are some suggestions for an appropriate gift? I work in a body care store and the products we sell are usually my go-to gifts but that doesn't feel right in this situation.

Love to know more on Gomeroi culture.

So far I know of Biaame and his wife with his son, Yularaay the goddess of the sun and Bahloo the god of the Moon.

I’d love to know more of creation gods and or spirits of my mob. I know there’s a lot of spirits/deities that go by a different names but are the same as other mob’s culture/dreamtime stories, etc.

I’d like to know more. So any Gamilaroi mob out there that know much of our culture/dreaming?

Any articles/websites I should look into?

Thank you for reading. 😌

Really hate seeing so much Christianity BS from my blak auntie. Makes me sick, it really does. It’s just- colonisation literally DESTROYED mob and culture.

I have no idea how you can claim Jesus will save you and I when some mob are ACTIVELY destroying their own culture, as in tools and painting; Actual fucking history. All because culture was a sign of the devil.

THERE’S LITERALLY YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF MOB ACTIVELY PUTTING FOREMENTIONED ITEMS IN BONFIRES!!! (This was when I was actively searching up new information or information on a subject for a course, not sure which.)

IDK, this’ll probably get a lot of hate. But like, I’m tired of it? I think my little vent is from just… So much downplay of Jesus will save mob to then religious trauma. How the fuck will Jesus save mob?

I don’t get it, I’m hurt by it. It hurts. So much colonisation, the last years referendum of the Yes vote being majority of it a No, to then the burnings and quite frankly “deletion” of culture, not forgetting generational trauma.. It’s fucked.

Honestly it’s fucked.

I've been through so much. I know I've posted a bit on here lately, and I thank everyone so much for all their support, it's really helped. I'm so glad to finally be able to bring some good news. But first a bit of background...

It started with the death of my sister when I was still in university. A stint with depression stretched my 3 year degree out to 5 years because I failed a couple of subjects, and had to drop and repeat a couple more. I finally graduated biotechnology.

Following uni I got really frustrated that I couldn't find a good job with my degree. I fell into addiction and worked minimum wage jobs in building and at the grocery store, working these jobs for years. I reached out for help and was able to make major change in my life.

A couple years ago I got a job as a peer support worker. Things were finally starting to look up. I started looking for a job in Aboriginal Research because that's what I decided I wanted to do. I went for about a dozen different interviews but it always seemed like I was 'second best', always commended on the way I interviewed, but never offered the position. Then my mum died and my brother got locked up. Another stint with depression (this time A LOT more manageable thanks to anti-depressants) and I then I got sick. But managed to land yet another interview (I was not going to give up). And this time I GOT IT. And I'm starting to get well aswell.

I just signed the contract. The job is mine. I can finally quit cutting up pumpkins and watermelons for a living. I'm actually really going to finally make a different in closing the gap. I'm chasing my dreams. I'm crying so much now (a lot of emotions- mostly good). I just wish my mum was around to see. She'd be so proud of me I just know. I wanna change things so that our people don't keep dying so young and keep on getting locked up.

Found it on a website.

it seems all the history books about this land is by colonisers. i really wanted to hear historical and/or folklore/mythology from an actual first nations author, and trying to find that on google has been a nightmare. i especially really wanted some PRE-colonial history, and i know that is difficult because of the marked effort to erase that history in the past 200 odd years. does anyone know of any good books by first nations voices, or at least if not, what are some decent ones by colonisers? i know how to find the fiction written by aboriginal authors, but where's the history/non-fiction? i don't particularly mind if it's on a specific place or subject, i just love history and would love to know the real, un-whitewashed history of this land. edit: cheers everyone, what a great reading list I've gathered with your help!

Fark orf. We're sick of it, just walk up to one of us and say g'day.

I want to write a kids' book with a diverse cast of characters and one of the characters is going to be Dharug (because I live on Dharug land). So I have two questions. First: I haven't really got much time to go to my local land council in person and I'm a bit shy so is it okay if I email? Second: I don't have much money, so how much do you reckon it will cost? Thanks.

Hey I’m a Wakka Wakka / Kamilaroi man and aspiring comic book writer. I’m currently looking for artists to bring my characters to life. There are plenty of freelancers out there for hire but I’d much rather a black artist drawing my black characters. If this sound interesting to you or anybody you know please message me. Thank you 🤙🏾

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post but I’m hoping to hear Aboriginal thoughts/opinions. I’ve grown up identifying as Aboriginal, my dad tried to teach us about our culture and history as much as he could (his dad was racist and didn’t allow them to). The thing is, you wouldn’t know by looking at me and as I’ve gotten older (now early 20’s) I’ve felt more uncomfortable identifying as Aboriginal because I’ve heard so many people make comments about “white people claiming to be Aboriginal”. Im not ashamed or embarrassed, was always proud to be apart of such an incredible Culture. But I don’t know much about where my ancestors come from and having moved around a lot, I’m no longer as involved in the local Indigenous communities as I once was. This makes me feel like I’m taking up Indigenous spaces or opportunities that I shouldn’t be. I would like to learn more about where my family comes from and is something I’ve been talking to my dad about. I guess my question is, is it okay for me to continue identifying as Aboriginal even though I don’t know much about where my family comes from? Is it appropriate for me to try to get involved in an Indigenous community that isn’t where I’m from or have lived very long? I don’t know if my perspective is being skewed by living in a rural, very conservative (racist) qld town.

Edit: thank you to everyone for their comments. It’s been very helpful seeing others with similar stories. I look forward to connecting more with my family’s history.

Fiji-Indian in New Zealand here, i’ve always had an affinity with indigenous Aussie culture and people but specifically language and music. I’ve noticed that all of Blekbala Mujik’s music has all been removed off streaming platforms and I can’t get a hand on their music or anything only limited copies. Does anyone have a copy of their albums?