Upon arrival at Dandiiri Maiwar view the "Welcome to Country" given by Uncle Bob Anderson and Aunty Jianna Richardson.

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1 Student Notes Dandiiri Maiwar Dandiiri Maiwar is a vibrant and living Cultures Centre showcasing Queensland's Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. Learn about Aboriginal cultures and Torres Strait Islander cultures from long ago through to the present day. During a visit, students will: Explore a place where the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are facilitated, presented and heard. Gain an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal Peoples and cultures, and Torres Strait Islanders and their cultures in Queensland. Celebrate the distinctive cultures of Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. Engage in unique, enjoyable and memorable learning experiences. Welcome to Country Upon arrival at Dandiiri Maiwar view the "Welcome to Country" given by Uncle Bob Anderson and Aunty Jianna Richardson. Out of respect for the families and communities who have contributed their stories we request that there be no photography within the Centre. Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Do you know? Who are the Traditional Owners of the area that you live in? How can you find out? Aboriginal People Aboriginal Australians have enjoyed life in all parts of Australia since the beginning of time when all things were called into being. Each clan or family group has its own defined country, stories, beliefs, practices and languages, with obligations to care for land, each other and all living things. Individuals have special obligations to maintain their connection to and care for particular animals, birds, or plants. Non-Aboriginal estimates put the Aboriginal occupation of Australia at about years at least. Conservative estimates place the Aboriginal population before Invasion and colonisation at about people. 1

2 Before Invasion people were able to speak a number of Aboriginal languages as communication with neighbours and other groups, for social and economic activities, was a regular part of life. Men traditionally hunt larger creatures depending on the environment, season and resource availability in their particular country. Women and children collect smaller animals and harvested fruits, berries and other plants. If the day's hunting fails to provide the group with a significant catch then the harvested fruits, plants and small animals can always be relied on to provide a tasty and nutritious meal. Clothing and shelters vary according to climate, need and availability of resources. In old times during very cold seasons possum and kangaroo skin cloaks were made by stitching skins together. Great care is taken not to use up the resources or food supply of an area. People only take what is needed, making sure there is plenty for next season. Nothing is wasted. Torres Strait Islanders Torres Strait Islanders are of Melanesian origin, proud of their own distinct cultural identity, traditions, languages and history. Like most island and coastal dwellers the Islanders are true seafarers, navigating by the stars with a superb knowledge of islands and reefs, weather, tides and currents. The size of communities varies according to the ability of the islands to sustain groups of people. Communities could be as small as twenty and as large as 800 people. Island society is life based on farming (where soil was fertile), hunting, fishing and gathering food from the sea. Three languages are spoken amongst the Islanders: Kala Kawa Ya (Top Western and Western), Kala Lagau Ya (Central) and Meriam (Eastern) dominate, with Torres Strait Islander Kriol having emerged after the arrival of the missionaries. Torres Strait is named after a Spanish captain, Torres, who sailed through the Strait in 1606 on his way to the Philippines. The Torres Strait is located between Cape York and Papua New Guinea and is made up of about 100 islands of which 15 are inhabited and administered by Community Councils. The Torres Strait is divided into five major island clusters, the Top Western Group (Boigu, Dauan and Saibai), the Near Western Group (Badu, Mabuiag and Moa), the Central Group (Yam, Warraber, Coconut and Masig), the Eastern Group (Murray, Darnley and Stephen), and the TI Group (Thursday, Horn, Hammond, Prince of Wales and Friday). In seagoing canoes they created a network of trade routes between islands and from New Guinea to Cape York Peninsula to ensure supplies of food, weapons, canoes, cassowary feathers, ochre, ceremonial and domestic objects. Torres Strait Islanders traded pearl shell, cone shell, turtle shell and stone. Archaeological evidence currently indicates that people have lived on Torres Strait islands for at least years. 2

3 Today an estimated Torres Strait Islanders live all over Australia; while about live on the Islands. Although the majority of the Islanders live on the mainland, Torres Strait Islanders are fiercely proud of their identity wherever they live and maintain links with family, home islands, languages and culture. Flags You may have seen the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag flying at your school or in your community. What do the colours and symbols on these two flags represent? What do the colours and symbols represented on the flags tell you about the things that Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders value? Why do you think it is important for nations to have their own flags? If you could design your own flag what kinds of symbols would you use to represent the things that are important to you and your family? Aboriginal Flag Harold Thomas, a Luritja man from Central Australia, designed the Aboriginal flag in 1971 as a symbol of unity and national identity for Aboriginal people during the Land Rights movement of the early 1970s. The flag was first flown on the 12th of July 1971 in Victoria Square, Adelaide, on National Aborigines Day. The flag was chosen in 1972 as the official flag for the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The symbolic meaning of the flag colours (as stated by Mr Harold Thomas) are: black representing the Aboriginal people of Australia; red representing the earth, red ochre and spiritual relationship to land; and yellow is the sun - the giver of life and protector. In 1995, the Australian Government proclaimed the flag as an official Flag of Australia. Torres Strait Islander Flag The late Mr Bernard Namok, from Thursday Island, designed the Torres Strait Islander flag in 1992 for a design competition held as part of a Cultural Revival Workshop. The colours represent: green for the islands (land); black for the people; blue for the sea; and white for peace. 3

4 The Dhari (head-dress) is unique to the Torres Strait and is a symbol of Torres Strait Islander identity; The five-pointed star represents the five Island clusters and also symbolises the navigational importance of stars to their seafaring culture. The Torres Strait Islander Flag was recognised as an official Flag of Australia in July Glossary Aboriginal English Refers to the form of English used by Aboriginal people. Aboriginal English uses elements of Standard Australian English and Aboriginal languages. Ailan kastom bilong Torres Strait Torres Strait Islander culture. Archaeology The study of the past through material traces. Artefact Any product made by humans or caused to be made through human actions. Assimilation Assimilation became government policy in the 1930 s with the idea that Indigenous peoples should be improved by being civilised and becoming Christians and learning how to work and live just like Europeans. Bipo Taim A Torres Strait Islander term that refers to the time before the arrival of missionaries. Breastplate Aboriginal breastplates, also known as king plates, gorgets and brass plates were given by Europeans to individual Aboriginal people during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Coming of the Light Torres Strait Islanders celebrate July the 1st as The Coming of the Light, which commemorates the arrival of members of the London Missionary Society in Country A term used by Aboriginal people to refer to the land to which they are from/belong to and their place of Dreaming or Creation Time. Culture The usual and traditionally patterned ways of behaviour and a set of familiar values shared by members of a group or community. Includes land, language, ways of living and working artistic expression, relationships and identity. 4

5 Dhari/Dhoeri The Dhari is the traditional dance and ceremonial headdress of the Torres Strait. It is the central motif on the region s flag and symbolises the identity and unity of all Torres Strait Islanders. Dhari is the Meriam Mir word for headdress and is used in the eastern islands. In the central and western islands where Kala Lagaw Ya is spoken, the headdress is called Dhoeri. Designs vary from island to island. Dharis/Dhoeris were traditionally made from Frigate Bird and Torres Strait Pigeon feathers, but are now often made from chicken feathers with cane for the frame. Diverse Made up of different things; very different or distinct from one another. Elders Leaders, holders of particular knowledge and key persons within a clan group or Aboriginal community. Goori A word that Aboriginal people of Southeast Queensland/Northern New South Wales use to describe themselves simply meaning people. Indigenous Natural to a place or area. Originating from a particular place. This could include plants, animals, etc. Indigenous People The first peoples of a land. Kinship Describes the ways that people are connected or relate to each other. Land Rights The process by which Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders have attempted to gain rights to their own lands/country. Lore The learning, keeping and passing on of a cultural heritage, which can include wisdom, tradition, teachings, knowledge and experience. Macassans The Macassans were people from Indonesia who had established a trade system with the Aboriginal people of northern Australia before European contact. Magil (mogill) An Aboriginal word from the Brisbane area for the eastern water dragon. Missions Indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their homelands to live in church run communities called missions. Murri A word that many Aboriginal people use to describe themselves in Queensland. Native Title A form of land title which recognises Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as rightful owners of land they are connected to. Reconciliation A term used to describe the building of new and positive relationships between non-indigenous people and Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. 5

6 Reserves Government established and controlled areas. Indigenous peoples were placed in these areas under the protection of government authorities. Social Justice Being free to enjoy the same rights, privileges, responsibilities and services as all other citizens. Terra Nullius A term that means a territory belonging to no-one or over which no-one claims ownership. The High Court decision of 1992 rejected terra nullius and recognises Indigenous native title. 6