Ask us anything: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Is it ever OK to ask how someone how Aboriginal they are? Our students and staff answer anonymously submitted questions to confront myths and stereotypes about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Find out more about out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on campus: sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision...
Enrol in the Cultural Competence MOOC: Aboriginal Sydney - sydney.edu.au/nccc/resources/t...
We acknowledge the tradition of custodianship and law of the Country on which the University of Sydney campuses stand. We pay our respects to those who have cared and continue to care for Country.
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[@jayy2949]

Much love and respect for all my aboriginal/ indigenous brothers and sisters, from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in America!

[@maharnie]

Big loves back to you! Xx

[@ivareskesner2019]

Much love and respect to all the people all around the world regardless of their colour, creed, religion or ethnicity. I think that sounds less racist.

[@africanodyssey4805]

@@ivareskesner2019 what part of their comment was racist?

[@user-hd1xo3nh6c]

Ivares Kesner How the hell was he racist? This video is about aboriginals ,so he sent his respects

[@steppenwolfsister1750]

Totally different kettle of fish.

[@mamaloavtu3279]

I’m a proud dungarri man I with a PhD in medicine!!!

[@weetbixkid2051]

DEADLY!!

[@callumheaney993]

paul w what’s white medicine?

[@elbownio5820]

@paul w what?

[@Dreamer10888]

@paul w ? not appropriate..

[@Relatablename]

@paul w It's not white medicine, it's just medicine.

[@MALIK-sx2qq]

Me: Gets into Uber Uber : awkwardly turns music to hip hop .

[@hcr32slider]

Wish i got that

[@Jessicace]

oh sheesh 🤦‍♂️

[@kye1171]

Does this actually happen?

[@blvvdsawgekkt2599]

MALIK damn tuff

[@kalarajoan9474]

Oh my lord, when I was in a class. Someone was like ‘ holy shit you sound australian’ and I was like ‘ because I am ?’ And he was like ‘ but aren’t you from Pakistan’ 😂 funny shit ever.... um no? I’m aboriginal ?

[@thomasmabo3820]

Ahahaha nice one 😂

[@WELLBRAN]

Stupid people guess first.... And get everything wrong

[@nicoleportwood7269]

Should have told him that you were from Mars and left his ass in wonderment... really is none of his damn business where you're from and who you are why should it matter.. who the hell is he the encyclopedia keeper?

[@arghunqon3774]

WELLBRAN how are they stupid?

[@bushrat1018]

Mother is white from Tasmania Father is black from central Australia I’m Australian and proud of the heritage of both parents, equally

[@67CURTISluciene]

Talking about the indigenous people here.....not about pride either

[@Traewing]

Talking Bull you know what...I want to thank you for putting it in perspective. Your mother is white from Tasmania. She's not Tasmanian because the last Tasmanian was black...! Whites in these countries upon talking DNA test will see that they are european.

[@garrusn7702]

Talking Bull They call aboriginal Australians “black” there?

[@no8604]

@@garrusn7702 Indigenous people themselves identify as being "black"....

[@Anita-ki5yw]

@Talkin Bull.. Good on you, don't let anyone tell you how you should feel about your parents. These people. .. can't accept that a black man would willingly choose a white woman as his partner.... And so by calling her an invader or disregarding her heritage as a white Tasmanian makes them feel better about themselves.. This has nothing to do with you..and shows their bigotry rather than acknowledging your validity as a product of a modern Aboriginal man making a conscientious choice of a partner.. Your mother has proven she is less bigoted and more embracing of a difference of culture than they are. God Bless you and your family.

[@Ayeteeemm]

I'm African and I get asked the "auntie or uncle" question ALL the time too! I feel like white people are the only ones who have to have that explained to them - family isn't only blood. We are a community. Very interesting that Indigenous people get asked that too. Great video!

[@ameriqueindienindigene9096]

We get asked all the time "Aren't you an African?" No. I'm an Aboriginal American and no. It has nothing to do with the "Native Americans" the Labrador people from Siberia. We were here long before Genghis the Khan I(an Albukebu-Lan) was ever thought of. So, how are his descendants known as Natives to our continent?

[@verceti2395]

yeah im white and grew up in a family where we didnt really even call our actual uncles "uncle". Apart from my direct family, the only ones i keep in contact with is my cousins. im 19 now, and a fair few of my cousins and brothers have had kids with Maori people. and well... our family gatherings almost shut down a couple blocks these days. its defiantly a culture shock.

[@omggiiirl2077]

Yes! It's something that we do as well in our family, but folks do not understand...or when I call them Aunty, Uncle, Grandmother, or Grandfather, they get in comfortable. It's sad that folks don't understand that concept of respect for elders, and honor and love for those in our community. Sometimes I wonder if it's a remnant of our ancestral culture that has survived through slavery and Jim crow until now.

[@MrJaaaaake]

You get asked that because you're black. They don't ask white people that because they are visually different. Tribalism on all sides.

[@Beluleano]

It's a tribalism thing. It's just not a Western cultural phenomenon. My people do that here in the USA and people don't get it either. hahaha Love to spend some time with the Aboriginals of Australia. Fascinating people!

[@nitashajohnson4767]

As a black person in America I feel like I relate to a lot of the sentiment. For example: everyone says get over it, it was so long ago and no one is around from that time. Well my great grandmother is still alive and her parents were born into slavery. Slavery ended technically in 1865 but what the hell you think all those people went? Not being paid and denied education all their lives for generations. People lived as slaves into the 60s. And then Jim Crow and Segregation did not end until the 60s less than 60 years ago, my parents were born during that period. Those feelings from that period didn't just disappear nor did the emancipation proclamation just solve slavery. So that part when he said how can we just get over it when it still effects us rang so true to our problems here. I'm 30 years old and I know things are changing and for the better but these people keep fighting us and especially keep telling us to be quiet. It's not only frustrating but infuriating. I can touch my history to this day and so can you. We still can touch our past history. It's that far removed. Not in the history of United States inception or Australian inception, not on the history of Civilian. Groups of peopel have taken hundreds and thousands of years to recover from things this bad. All we hear at this point is "shut up and get over it" and what we should be doing is healing and learning from the past.

[@angelfire1156]

This made me laugh and cry I'm Aboriginal myself and I'm happy for us to answer questions 😁😁

[@vondahe]

Error sans BRAVO! I’ve not yet visited your great country but when I go, I’ll be extremely interested in understanding the people I meet, in the same way I try to understand the people I meet in other regions of my own country, as well as other continents. Similarly, I’m always happy to answer questions about my country, should anyone ask.

[@PHlophe]

some of the answers were really accommodating whiteness. the bloke that said " we lost our color over time" like HOW ?, whatta fool and the girl that looks nearly entirely european gets offended when people can't tell she has marginal aboriginal roots. This is very bizarre.

[@ghostdelay6770]

Thank you ❤

[@daynagould1497]

Love the coffee analogy 🙌🙌 going to use that from now on

[@Indonesiansurftravel]

I didn't get that far into the video, but if its the old one I'm thinking of its pretty silly because its not true. At some point its no longer coffee its actually coffee flavoured milk.

[@KcTc344]

@@Indonesiansurftravel it doesnt matter how much aboriginal u have in u. If u even a little bit indigenous then ur 100℅ indigenous to me. Im 3/4 indigenous and if my Asian partner and i had a child that looks asain, then its still indigenous to me and my mob would accept that kid with open arms. I find it funny that none indigenous people are the only ones getting upset about people 1/8 people claiming to be indigenous. Aboriginal people are kind to there mob and we accepts all indigenous people no matter how much u got in u

[@lavarif]

coffee is not DNA! the wight race are destroyers of indigenous dna. there is no such thing as an indigenous wight race. your not even europeans, you don't have no understanding of who your ppl are.

[@zac.t3975]

@@lavarif well said

[@tiasmith6223]

Kaelan Corpus FACTS! I was thinking the same thing.

[@tyannepescod7608]

i’m maori and i always get the question about auntie and uncle. people do it out of respect, as if someone were to call a person, ma’am or sir.

[@amymahoney3883]

Clearly some people missed the point re how Aboriginal how are you? If you look back in history and racist policies to 'breed' Aboriginal people out and the percentile system used to class Aboriginality, you can see why it is offensive to Aboriginal people and maybe not yourself. Aboriginality isn't just about blood line but about cultural connection. You can be fair but the only culture you know and have been raised in is your Aboriginal culture, that's another reason why it's offensive. You don't automatically identify white due to skin tone.

[@kalarajoan9474]

Amy Mahoney thank you.

[@cheong728]

I'm from Singapore. We have Eurasians ( people of white and Asian ancestry ) No, Eurasians were not discriminated against like indigenous Australians, so we can ask " what is your Eurasianess ? " It's just curiosity or some people just look white or Asian and not racially mixed. Personal opinion, again I'm not Aussie, but if you snap and say its racist you're not making things better. Just explain why due to historical reasons, racial identity is a sensitive topic. And if you look white, what's wrong with saying you don't look Aboriginal ( even if you are ). Don't assume its racism. Just stating a fact. It may be personally annoying to you, but its nobody fault you don't look physically like a typical Aboriginal. Yes, racial phenotype is real. No, that's not my experience when I live in Aus, but I did comment that someone I met didn't look Aboriginal. He was and he had dark blondish hair and a medium complexion. I was just curious, I didn't care what his race actually was, because it didn't matter to me. He politely explained that some Aboriginal people would be offended and why.

[@WELLBRAN]

People just look at your visual appearance first and then start thinking too much.....and guessing.... Bad idea!

[@ScuttlePants]

​@@cheong728 If people say racist things, I think it's appropriate to call it what it is. There's a super easy way to not be called racist: not say or do racist things. In this particular case, there is a significant amount of racism aimed at Aboriginal Australians. Do you think discouraging people from calling out racism is a positive thing? I know others can find it silencing.

[@Indonesiansurftravel]

Problem is most people of mixed race with some Aboriginal blood line have been brought up in western culture in every regard and have no cultural connection, but now often claim to identify as Aboriginal because it's now kind of cool and exotic. The reality is these same people don't face the same issues that many indigenous people face especially those in remote communities and when you don't look Aboriginal you don't face issues of racism etc It's actually quite a problem because it can make stats on issues misleading or money can go to areas where people don't actually need it.

[@shona5744]

For me as a European visitor to Australia, I feel that our education is seriously lacking aboriginal teachings. I find it shocking that I had never heard of the culture and horrors (recent and non) until I visited the country and started to research. Perhaps links to universities outside of Australia would help push such an important topic.

[@blackieja]

@Jamie Nelson sounds like a white person talking here

[@nejoh713]

I agree with you. Australia is my neighbor indonesia. Real Aborigin look like indonesian.

[@o6ina]

Western education in Europe is seriously lacking even European indigenous teachings.

[@sarahlilliancullen]

I'm Irish and the only education we got on Australia is about all the Irish people who got sent there by the British. Those are really tragic stories and are important in our history. However, it doesn't give us a rounded idea of the Irish experience in Australia, considering many Irish people partook in those oppressive systems. I think it's shocking we don't learn more, especially as we learn about US aboriginal communities, and so many Irish people still emigrate to Australia

[@paulineh9828]

I‘m european and we actually learned a lot about them in school. Maybe it depends on the country u are from

[@sarahwood4847]

As someone born in Australia I always loved the Dreamtime stories that I was taught through school and I am interested in learning more about this amazing culture ❤️

[@astrumperemor]

I'm from the UK and this is so important to watch I wish history classes here didn't just focus on world wars and what happened in America I hope Indigenous cultures can thrive again in the future

[@flordelbosque5671]

I'm half white latina and half indigenous, and I always felt a need to know more about my roots, even though I didn't receive the cultural education and mother language, I always felt close to home whenever I wore my traditional clothes and whenever I listen to some mistical stories. I've received the look of confusion whenever I say I'm indigenous because I am a little lighter than the average guna woman, and that has made me feel a little unsecure. I feel identified as an indigenous woman, but I wish I was more confident of who I am. I needed the content of this video. Thank you so much! 💗

[@NurseNelson]

Thank you for an amazing video! I'm a non-Indigenous woman from Cairns in Far North QLD and am also a nurse/Educator. I am currently training some mob from Awabakal as health Practitioners. This video gave me some good knowledge on how to be culturally safe and show respect towards my students. If there's one thing I've observed about being in a room full of Indigenous students is that there is such a strong sense of family and connection with mob and that everyone cares about each other equally. Non-Indigenous people can certainly learn a lot about belonging from our Indigenous brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles - I know I have. Thank you x P.S. Aunty Mary I'd sit next to you!

[@WitchesWithAB]

As an American Native....I am amazed at how this is nearly identical to how were are treated right down to the stereotypes.

[@TORLBC]

This is such a dope thing. As a college (American!) student once before, it's always good to see how the indigenous communities of other notable countries, like Australia, deal with the realities of a culture from a stolen land.

[@ALYoungFuture13]

TORLBC Are you A Us Citizen or An American through blood?

[@ameriqueindienindigene9096]

@@ALYoungFuture13: He's a U.S. Citizen or probably one of those "Native Americans" from Siberia - he, or they are NOT the American Aboriginals.

[@potatovegeta9385]

I am curious. What kind of education is there about American indigenous people in America, in Australia and on the internet I hear nearly nothing about American Indigenous people and their culture. I still hear people use the term ‘American Indian’ all the time. Is this also true in America?

[@gamermusk4588]

Potato Vegeta people use “Indian” here all the time still. The education on natives varies by state. Here in Montana it’s required that we learn about native history and culture a bit

[@KienDLuu]

As an Asian person I totally understand the calling someone you respect "auntie" and "uncle". :)

[@shaunawerner5986]

9:35 is the most beautiful description I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you for sharing this.

[@shanec3098]

"How well can you throw a boomerang?" I'd ask that question with any Australian, not gonna lie.

[@XAshBlossomX]

4:09 She has an awesome accent. :) Also I had these same stereotypes, against Indigenous Australians, however I felt it was wrong as my very own people have had similar stereotypes, as well. This lead me to conduct my own research and found my previous opinions to be wrong (obviously) via videos like this. I just feel bad that I ever had these opinions, because I was not bought up this way. These videos seriously help anyone looking for both sides of the story. :)

[@sarahjaded]

Thank you for all enlightening us on your story and sharing such personal views. I was really moved. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Juliandank]

This was a beautifully articulate video, everyone really answered the questions with such poise and used easily understood references for someone over here in the states.

[@BronzeSista]

I do wonder if the dark skinned aborigines are seen as less than? If you're fair skinned do you feel better than the dark skinned ones? And why are there hardly any dark skinned Aborigines on this video? I am just curious.

[@Indonesiansurftravel]

The video looks to be made by uni students in an areas where most likely not much of an indigenous population with darker skin, and most likely these people are students from the university as all seem very well spoken and well educated. I don't know if Australias see darker skinned Aboriginal as less, but Aboriginal with darker skin generally live in remote community's where there is often all kinds of social problems, so the stereotypes talked about are much relevant to aboriginal with darker skin. I think most Australians respect the fact darker skin Aboriginal are true aboriginals and feel for the problems they face, while these people here if you walked past many of them in the street you would have no idea they are Aboriginal and highly doubt they face the problems Aboriginals in remote or poor communities face. I mean lets be honest some of these people are very attractive and have olive skin most of us would die for.

[@rhondadenis3469]

Soleh SItu Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s very enlightening. Aboriginal people should be seen more on the Global stage. Your issues are not being seen by the masses. To many people are ignorant about Aboriginal people in Australia.

[@dragonofthewest8305]

@jo dirt your not the same one is full black one is mixed race

[@gauirnihjndnz4870]

Some parts of Australia light skin aboriginal treat dark skinned aboriginal like they are rubbish. Especially the ones in Darwin NT. They think they are better than the ones in the bush. Wears them a white raises man or woman.

[@ameriqueindienindigene9096]

Good question. Knowing their history is like peeking into America's true history both places were flooded with criminals - the only difference with Australias Aboriginals is, the plan was to kill as many as possible while mixing out the rest of dark ones through rapes. This is a picture of my great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Redtail an Aboriginal American Indian that spoke block Hebrew and Iroquoian, he and his wife Virginia both were Tsalagi which is an Iroquoian language meaning Cherokee! History on our continent have been told to us differently, we were all told we were African descendants from a make-believe Diaspora and the puppet countries in Africa (three of them) had agreed with the UN, that this information was true - until they all fell out over some money issues. Now, they are singing a different tune about us, and who we really are... Not Africans!

[@mixmmick]

I think the most alarming statistic for me is the percentage of kids in foster care and percentage of prison population that indigenous. These are systemic issues which neither the state or federal governments are addressing. It almost feels like they sweeping this stuff under the rug. Keep fighting, keep thriving, keep proving them wrong.

[@javiergranera3451]

mixmmick as a minority myself the first thing we must teach our kids is to love and respect themselves and to be proud of who they are.

[@plushpuppy32]

We have those same percentages in Canada

[@cookie22100]

The same system of imprisoning Black and Brown people is present in the United states. We call it modern day slavery here.

[@Josh-rn1em]

Well people don't go to jail for no reason. People need self responsibility. It's not like it's a hard choice to not commit crime that puts you in jail if caught

[@itsZukka]

You know how much money is spent on aboriginals ? Hundreds of millions it’d not a easy fix

[@arsenal2death]

Much love from kuwait.. that talk about feeling rooted to the land is something i feel very deeply here.. spent four years in Melbourne but would never think of leaving Kuwait for good.. and i got so much love for the aboriginal people.. when i first came across them calling each other cousins and brother opened my eyes to how we have similar way of life.. even if its half a way across the world.. its universal i think..

[@djm7494]

That's beautiful, thank you for sharing. I'm a white Australian and am deeply humiliated by Australian history and how much pain was and is brought upon the owners of my country.

[@tw3ist]

god bless

[@sunflashfuturesailor]

Absolutely loved this video ♥️ It made me realise how much knowledge I’ve missed out on when it comes to indigenous culture and issues. Definitely need to educate myself.

[@maddibeers2135]

I feel so blessed to know and be surrounded by such a beautiful culture that is the aboriginal, original land peoples of Australia! My family came to Australia from Ireland 7 generations ago and I hope my generation and my children’s and onwards can grow and continue to gain knowledge of how precious and sacred your culture is! ❤️

[@johnnydesimone8019]

Very eye opening, I'm studying this for a speech I am writing in school and because I was never taught these things, I didn't know what the situation was. Love the vid!

[@RosmarinusXX]

Great video! The participants answered so beautifully. It would be interesting to hear the perspectives of some Aboriginal people from central and northern communities when asked the same questions. I know some of my Kimberly mates have a different perspective on a few of these questions.

[@Earthsuitlife]

Brilliant. Thank you all for sharing. Happy to hear more any time.

[@cindymaree9752]

My Ex boyfriend is an Aboriginal we spent nearly 5 years together and he encountered all of these questions and participated in alot of programs. I love how loving, passionate and connected to the culture everyone in the aboriginal community is. I grew up australian but was shocked how little I was educated on it until I was more exposed to the culture. Nothing but respect!

[@biancathyse5266]

Such an eye-opening interview. Loved it!

[@ingridpotgieter9768]

Im a first generation white immigrant to Australia (been here since I was 5) and I really wish I could have been shown more things like this going through school. Thank you for doing this and I hope you do more like this going into the future. I hope we can move into a space of understanding and reconciliation.

[@pinkmusiicluva]

Through my work I've had the honour of meeting some of the most hard-working, intelligent individuals who just happen to be Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander. This was very informative and interesting.

[@riazzaman20]

Thanks for the upload I really learnt a lot.

[@samanthabijok8986]

Love the coffee analogy. Great clip, thank you!

[@katakhresis2796]

Except people are not coffee. He'd get an A in creative writing class, but it's not adequate for a discussion of real issues.

[@japhiawow9358]

Loved this! I'm a British national but was born in Townsville, my dad often speaks very warmly about the indigenous community

[@lilliansharpe4975]

Aboriginal culture isn’t appreciated enough in Australia and I wish it was more included in schools

[@baybeeblue1510]

Thank you so much for this video. I am from South Africa and this was so informative.

[@aliccolo]

casual racism happens so much in alaska too. growing up, i was taught it was rude to ever question if someone was Native. in my experience growing up in alaska, it was a very inappropriate thing to do. however, nowadays people don’t see any problem with questioning someone’s ethnicity. one example that always comes to mind is when my nephew was a baby. he’s a blonde haired green eyed Aleut and Yupik child, born in the Alaska Native Medical Center, and i remember his mom crying afterward because she was confronted by other parents in the pediatrician’s waiting area for bringing a white toddler there. it’s awful that people feel entitled to question someone’s ethnicity or identity just because someone doesn’t fit their preconceived ideas of appearance, behavior, location, etc.

[@ArtGeek19]

Have grown up along the east coast of Australia as a white female. My father was born in England and came here on a boat in 1970. My Mum was born in Australia but has an English background too. My parents always made sure we were respectful and well educated on Indigenous culture. My cousin married an Aboriginal man and the way his Mum and Aunties accepted not only my cousin and their children but also us (their extended family) was awesome. I might not know all the ins and outs of the culture but the parts they DO share with me I am grateful for and my life is enriched by. I believe as the younger generations its our job to bridge the gap and focus on our commonalities to strengthen our bonds and thats what I try to do moving forward.

[@torimckenzie3460]

Thank you for sharing, this is so educating and inspiring to watch as a young person. Definitely going to be educating myself now!!

[@USNMelDaria]

People are just assholes sometimes!! Much respect to the Aboriginals, just like Black people we come in many shades!!!

[@AishaAjona]

Am so glad that the indigenous people are speaking on this. Very important.

[@heauxmade1456]

Do aboriginals consider themselves to be black/of African ancestry? I’m so interested in knowing being that I’m a black Latina, I love learning about my African ancestry and part of this research journey is learning about all the places which African people migrated centuries and centuries ago. Aboriginal people are so beautiful. Also I noticed that they usually have straight hair and that is also interesting to me.

[@sittingbullsittingbull783]

It is actually quite sad to see the similarities between Canada and Australia and how they treated their aboriginal people

[@allyfilostyle]

This is an amazing video. Thank you for the new lessons I’ve learnt that were never taught in school. It really hurts me that aboriginal culture/traditions/language has been lost for these communities and families. From the first day I learnt about the dreaming in primary school I’ve always felt a connection and still I go back to my books and relearn the stories I learnt so long ago. My heart goes out to all indigenous people past and present 🖤💛❤️

[@marchforth3515]

As an American, who knows near-nothing about Australia’s history and the history of aboriginals, not to mention I’ve never heard of the Torres Strait Islanders, this was a very educational video and I appreciate it.

[@laurengram5236]

Loved this video. Thank you so much ❤️

[@elliemaree99]

This was incredible to watch, thank you

[@nachannachle2706]

I genuinely don't understand how not sitting next to someone is "racist". As far as I know, a LOT of people living in the city appreciate having their space to themselves and NOT feeling crowded. Someone does not sit next to you? Well, enjoy not having your personal space violated. We all already live on top of each other in apartments and high-rise dwellings; it is a blessing to have some time/space for oneself. I'm a 100% Black Afro-European woman (Childhood in Central Africa, Teenage years in Western Europe) living in Australia and most of the dodgy/ambiguous behaviours I have experienced are from: 1. People who don't have the same social codes as I do and make genuine blunders (like wanting to touch my hair, for example). 2. People who fear out of ignorance and often quickly change their minds once they are at ease (like when they see I speak English and don't hold them responsible for all the evils in my world, for example) 3. People who are on their self-validating mission to "save minorities" from (a pandemia of) mental health issues born out of racism (like when they start the "peep talk" and won't allow me to look sad/tired that I missed my bus, for example). As much as I understand the importance of "understanding" other cultures, there will always come a point where the outsider reveals him/herself as an outsider by virtue of thinking/living differently. And this will always translate into misunderstandings. Therefore, I see mo point in wasting time overthinking these punctual mishaps.

[@livedexperience]

Informative. Always good to listen to lived experience ❤

[@emma472]

Thank you for sharing your stories :)

[@stephenrogers981]

I went to Manning P.S. and I will never forget when Sally Morgan came and read her stories to us. I think it is important that Aboriginal history and culture is taught in schools as it is a huge part of who we are as a nation!

[@TheSimMan]

Excellent video. My utmost respect to these people, all indigenous Australians, their culture and remarkable history.

[@midodzitay2446]

Bravo, c’est vraiment enrichissant. Merci 🙏

[@naimajama3182]

I’ve been learning about A.T.S.I in my studies. This is a good in site! Thanks

[@ingrima4220]

But...how do one decide if one is "aboriginal" or not, say, if you've just a couple of aboriginal forefathers, a great great great great great great uncle here, and a great great great great great great aunti there. Where do you draw a line, if there is any? If a dna test showed 0,002 % aboriginal origin? How about 0,2%? Or should one look at one's cultural upbringing instead? This stuff is interesting from social and biological perspectives. Many take dna tests these days, and it's interesting to see how people identify and label themselves, and we all know genetics is a vastly complicated issue!!!

[@LanaIguana]

Really informative video, hands down. Admittedly, I found myself being confronted by my own biases throughout though. As an Australian with a keen interest in history, I've always been aware of and appalled by the treatment of Indigenous Australians. However, as the grandchild of immigrants arriving in the 1960s, I've never felt that I've deserved the shame that I've felt directed to me as a non-Indigenous Australian. And this is where I have to admit that I find myself getting defensive, just for the fact that I always feel accused despite me doing all I can (being educated regarding Australia's Indigenous history, not being prejudiced). I know it's not right, but it's something that I think needs to be considered when trying to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. For real reconciliation, we need to know the past, accept it (on both sides) and celebrate the culture together moving forward...

[@amori3758]

i want to say, as a white Australian born and raised in this country that there is not nearly enough education on Aboriginal culture and struggles, both past and present. throughout primary school i was taught captain Cook was a hero, and it's only recently i've researched it deeper and i'm now learning the truth. i also want to apologise. after i learned the struggles that Aboriginal people went through i had no words. i'm sending love and support from south Australia

[@HiHi-gn2dw]

emily It’s crazy to think about the differences between both NZ and Aus in the way we teach history. In NZ schools we learn how to speak basic Maori phrases and also learn about the history, culture and struggle of the Maori. If I’m going to be honest Captain Cook was always made to seem like the bad guy to us here from how we were taught. I’m not saying that New Zealand is perfect when it comes to embracing the Maori culture since there is still institutionalised racism towards Maori people, but I mean Maori are the most successful indigenous colonised culture right now.

[@AnnavBF]

Thank you for making this. I have no connection to Australia so this was totally new information for me. Important perspectives to share with the whole world these days.

[@hannahwhillas1474]

Thank you for sharing this, so important and enlightening.

[@auntykiki8161]

Thank you for this video. Great watch. I really liked the coffee analogy. That is important for people to get.

[@NocturnalEye]

Sending love to Aboriginal Australians from an Aboriginal from Canada!

[@Inflightfeed]

Thank you for this. Great video.

[@dbgaming4763]

I’m a proud Wakka Wakka & Darkinjung young man 🖤💛❤️

[@charlotteod6068]

I’m really glad that this video was made because in school you learn about the history and not about how people feel today. This video has given insight to me about the problems aboriginals still face today and how to prevent offending their culture. A big thank you from me

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Loved this video, excellent thank you

[@jermyhartwell9494]

Thank you all for this video

[@jameelisa4712]

Kia ora my brothers and sisters . Sending my love to you from aotearoa New Zealand.

[@cathiepixie]

How do we get the balance between keeping curiosity & communication channels open...?

[@bbykc444]

cathiepixie Instead of asking, ‘How much aboriginal are you?’ ask ‘What mob do you belong too?’ Or ‘Can you speak any native languages?’. There are many ways to spark curiosity and interest without offending someone. It’s not that hard.

[@bbykc444]

STFU COWINNE Instead of asking, ‘How much aboriginal are you?’ ask ‘What mob do you belong too?’ Or ‘Can you speak any native languages?’. There are many ways to spark curiosity and interest without offending someone. It’s not that hard.

[@georgiagilbert3098]

Thank you thank you thank you for this. So important.

[@Sparkles-gp2bm]

I loved this video thank you!

[@Saffron-sugar]

I am asked how Black I am pretty frequently. I am biracial and raised by both parents, I don't know if it's possible for me to only claim one side, that would feel like I hated half of myself. If my White blood came from violence and I was only raised by my Black relatives, that would be a completely different story. I would be Black then. As things stand, my parents were happily married until death and I absolutely refuse to discount half of my family. Milky coffee or coffee flavored milk? The fact that I'm part of the oppressed and part oppressor isn't lost on me, but it is the truth. I feel that peace between the two is within me . --- Natives considered fauna (animals) up until 30 -40 years ago is a myth. It is a misconception about the battle for equal rights and the 1967 Referendum. This occurred over 50 years ago, but did not newly classify Native people as human. wafflesatnoon.com/aborigines-classified-animals-flora-fauna-act/

[@meheretoday6968]

Have you visited the War Memorial... our people are represented on the walls, along with the other fauna of Australia... I worked there and was told quite clearly that this is why the sculptures had been done and the reason they had been left there was to remind us of how far we have come. It was a perception that was put into stone in our War Memorial walls..... edit: I will just say here that after thinking about it I believe the sculptures should always remain in place to show the shame that is on the head of those who treated and called the native people of Australia "animals'.

[@stuntmotomoto]

People absolutely ask what percent Irish, German, etc. people are. You shouldn't be ashamed of your ethnicity.

[@MozzieMutant]

But they told you why it's offensive. Some people are less Aboriginal because of state run racial cleansing

[@bensimmons6149]

stuntmotomoto you’re right but the context is different

[@jessiecee6564]

Great video. As an Australian I think this video is so important. Well done

[@pippastrelle]

This was very fascinating and informative. Thank you

[@markalterado88]

This has been such an eye opener!!! I love this so much!!

[@hayamy3583]

Great video. I want more!

[@willwatson1929]

thanks for leaving the comments on

[@El_Rebelde_]

I live in Southern California and my parents are from México. I don't know really anything about Australian history or aboriginal history of thats the right term to use but this made me interested in learning more about it. Great video. Keep fighting on.

[@el4121]

i’m an australian/american dual citizen who was raised in america most of my life- they don’t teach anything about aboriginal culture in america so this video was truly eye opening and informative. i’d love to learn more about your wonderful culture!

[@lauragriffin3368]

This video is awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to educate others! I’d love to learn so much more about our Indigenous countries in Aus but I don’t know where to start or whether as a non-Indigenous person I’m invited?

[@kazzashoots1694]

Great video and I learnt a lot 👍

[@Alexandria730]

Loved this! such an insightful video :') x

[@Ps-tc9ko]

We loved visiting family in Australia and went to a few places. I would've like to have visited museums and places where indigenous people give talks but timing was tricky. We did go to Mossman Gorge which was truly beautiful. OMG the negative comments do get said and that will give preconceptions. It needs to change immediately! Respect to Aborinal communities who lost so much but will gain immensely with pure culture. Greetings from sunny Manchester; England 😎

[@gentimperley8554]

We get the same thing in New Zealand, people and often even other Maori will ask 'how maori are you?' just because my skin is so pale. It can be a really hurtful question, even if it's not intended to be. Especially when you're young it just makes you feel isolated from your culture and like your identity is being questioned. I hate it. The concept in general can definitely effect children's connection with their culture terribly.

[@joycieeable]

Free education for all. White fellas and Black.

[@CharlotteElla]

i'm white and grew up in a small town in Victoria with little aboriginal culture representation. I am so sad that we didnt learn more aboriginal history and culture in schools. I wish our diffrent cultures can be more integrated, rather then European culture being dominant and aboriginal a minority. I have so much respect for aboriginal culture, beliefs and connection with the land I wish growing up in Australia I had the opportunity to learn more about it and have it somewhat part of my culture to (obviously I'm not aboriginal and im not trying to pretend to be) but I have a vision of a modern Australia where it isn't so separated and there was so so much more aboriginal cultural influence as they built the foundations of this land and culture we live in today. I just never want their language, traditions, and culture to fade away because this country would not be what it is today without those things.

[@Remnants_]

Thank you for sharing your experiences :) I was lucky enough to go to a primary school that didn't shy away from teaching us the realities of what Indigenous people have been through. They also had a strong link to a local Aboriginal elder who taught us a bit about his culture. I think it goes a long way to developing empathetic adults who want to do better. I was shocked to learn at uni, most of my friends had not had any of the education I had. They were only just learning about the extent of the stolen generation and the lasting impact on peoples lives in our course. Maybe (hopefully) if there was more education, people wouldn't be so quick to believe 'thats just in the past, get over it'. Trauma doesn't work like that.

[@karmasoldier9841]

I got only 1(2) question: Do you remember your roots and do you still fight for your kinsmens rights?

[@NatJac-gg3mv]

Watch the movies Rabit ence and the Dwellers ( 1986 staring Kristona Nhem) will give you a great sence of what they have endured .

[@billturner7363]

As a white Australian this is such an eye opener.

[@martinmckowen1588]

I am white and when I was growing up 26 January was just a day off. It had little or no meaning. It is only recently that it became the nationalist statement that it is.

[@romanbrandle319]

If any group of people are subjected to racism in Australia it is Aboriginal people . The example I can give is an Aboriginal man asked me for a cigarette and I gave him one ,we had a conversation and he said your not from here are you . I told him I'd been out of the country for 20yrs , he said that explains it . Even a family member of mine let off a racist rant against Aboriginal people that left me feeling disgusted and ashamed , they wonder why I don't contact them , we are all one big family and racists are not a part of it .

[@stephallan2543]

As an indigenous Native American Indian from North America..I was forced to hear every year about the BS Land Bridge Theory and it was upsetting to me. I asked my grandmother who was very Strong Faith’d in God explained to me that the outsiders were forever questioning our Native existence and attempting to remove it. Love the next generation to treat the Elder respectfully and learning from their wisdom. 🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏽🔍💗☝🏽💕🕊🤔

[@Stockman516]

As for throwing a boomerang. I used to use one as a kid when when we went looking for roo's and pigs. I even made one, but was better at setting traps, spears, and was alot better at shooting a gun.

[@montanac533]

Thank you so much. I have so much respect for this amazing and rich culture