Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia, descended from groups that existed in Australia and surrounding islands before British colonisation. The time of arrival of the first Indigenous Australians is a matter of debate among researchers. The earliest conclusively human remains found in Australia are those of Mungo Man LM3 and Mungo Lady, which have been dated to around 50,000 years BP.

History

Indigenous Australian history is the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands, and these peoples' descendants. Indigenous Australians have an oral culture with spiritual values based on reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime.

Culture

Indigenous Australian culture includes a number of practices and ceremonies centered on a belief in the Dreamtime and other mythology. Reverence for the land and oral traditions are emphasised. Language groupings and tribal divisions exhibit a range of individual cultures.

Languages

Australian Aboriginal languages are a family of several hundred languages spoken by Indigenous Australians. These languages are divided into around twenty language families. The relationships between these languages are not clear at present.

Health

Indigenous Australian health and wellbeing statistics indicate Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders have higher rates of renal disease and diabetes than other groups in Australia. There are also significant mental health concerns among Indigenous communities due to the high number of violent and traumatic events.

Education

Indigenous Australian education can be improved with more culturally appropriate curricula. Indigenous students often struggle to succeed in mainstream school systems. It is crucial that educators and policymakers strive to understand and respect Indigenous cultures and histories.

See also

• Aboriginal Australians
• Torres Strait Islanders
• Indigenous Australian art
• Indigenous Australian music

‎ Template:Indigenous peoples of Australia