Aboriginal people lived in small family groupings connected to larger linguistic groups with diverse geographic borders before Europeans arrived. According to Avery, “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability face significant barriers in their daily lives that diminish their rights” (Avery, 2020). These tribes had complex family structures and social norms; they played a role in law, education, spiritual growth, and resource management; they spoke a language, had ceremonies, rituals, and traditions, and knew their surroundings well. On the other hand, Aboriginal cultures were resilient and well developed, Aboriginal communities were autonomous, and Aboriginal children were nourished and protected.
The impact of European colonization on Aboriginal tribes and customs was disastrous. Aborigines were subjected to various abuses, such as massacres or evictions from their ancestral lands and carrying out missions and reservations under the pretext of protection. Cultural traditions were abandoned, and many were lost as a result. Colonization led to massacres, bloodshed, disease, and loss for the aborigines.
Despite the effects of colonization in the past and now, Aboriginal structures, customs and traditions continue to exist, and Aboriginal individuals, families, and communities remain strong and resilient. According to Moggridge, “Aboriginal people have been part of the Australian landscape for 65,000 years” (Moggridge 2020). Massacres, missions, segregation, imprisoned deaths, and land rights are all themes detailed in Victoria’s violent colonial past.
The history of the aborigines shows how the Europeans treated people who were not like them. The colonialists broke into the native land of the aborigines and began to dictate their own rules of life. This aspect of world history shows the influence of Europe on everything that is not good. Studying Aboriginal history provides an opportunity to look at the history of the world from a different perspective.
Individuals, families, groups, and communities interact with social workers in their physical, social, and cultural contexts and their previous and current experiences and cultural and belief systems. According to Bennett, “Social work practise with Aboriginal people and communities is generally regarded as complex, with workers often engaging with communities that are experiencing significant disadvantage” (Bennett et al., 2011). To resolve concerns, they may participate in casework, counseling, advocacy, and community participation. They may also focus on policy formulation and research related to social justice, disadvantage, and marginalization of individuals in their communities or society. All of this will be done by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social worker in the context of indigenous culture.
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities requires working in various challenging contexts. According to Liberman, “aboriginal social life began to receive close sociological attention” (Liberman, 2017). Empathy and solid communication skills – both speaking and listening – with patients are crucial, as is the capacity to cooperate with other health professionals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders. Social workers must be well-organized and proficient in the completion of documentation.
Although they may work in various contexts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers already have a designated social work role. According to Carlson, “Armed with a range of perceptions of what it means to be Aboriginal, and in the face of Aboriginal community sensibilities, community judgments, and the ever-present risk of public censure, individuals find and express their Aboriginal identities in a wide range way” (Carlson, 2016). They can offer direct assistance to indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples in urban, distant, and rural regions and serve as specialists in institutions, community groups, and public health services. It will assist Aboriginal people in today’s world in supporting one another and being heard. Individual and group counseling, crisis interviewing, case management, advocacy, prevention, and education are among social workers’ services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients coping with mental health difficulties and drug misuse. One essential human service profession for developing and providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is social work. Social workers must understand and demonstrate culturally sensitive values, knowledge, and abilities to offer these communities the services and support they require.
Given the historical context of white colonialism’s effects, including stolen generations and cultural devastation to many indigenous peoples, families, and communities, social workers must help and safeguard indigenous children and their families. Other issues such as violence, loneliness, prejudice, behavioral challenges, drug usage, truancy, and delinquency can be addressed. It will aid in the preservation of Aboriginal people’s spirit and solidarity in the contemporary world.
Aboriginal people have a shared history of colonization and the removal of children. The history of the aborigines shows how the Europeans treated people who were not like them. The colonialists broke into the native land of the aborigines and began to dictate their own rules of life. People must acknowledge and convey the truth about Australia’s history and its continuing impact on Aboriginal people to be culturally competent. People need to understand how the past continues to affect life today. European colonization directly influenced the life of Australia today. Today, the problem of history and perception of Aboriginal people is more relevant than ever. Social workers should be interested in this issue as it is directly related to their work. Workers should protect Aboriginal peoples from maintaining their spirit and unity. Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities requires working in various challenging contexts. Individuals, families, groups, and communities interact with social workers in their physical, social, and cultural contexts and their previous and current experiences and cultural and belief systems. To resolve concerns, they may participate in casework, counseling, advocacy, and community participation.
References
Avery, S. (2020). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability: Falling through the cracks. Precedent (Sydney, NSW), (159), 12-15.
Bennett, B., Zubrzycki, J., & Bacon, V. (2011). What do we know? The experiences of social workers working alongside Aboriginal people. Australian social work, 64(1), 20-37.
Carlson, B. (2016). The politics of identity: Who counts as Aboriginal today?. Aboriginal Studies Press.
Liberman, K. B. (2017). Routledge revivals: Understanding interaction in Central Australia (1985): An ethnomethodological study of Australian aboriginal people. Routledge.
Moggridge, B. J. (2020). Aboriginal people and groundwater. Proceedings of the royal society of Queensland, The, 126, 11-27.