AIC

Assimilation

A series of policies adopted by state and territory governments in 1937 that agreed that Indigenous people 'not of full blood' should be absorbed into the wider population and thus lose all connection to their language, culture and spirituality. The forced removal of children was intensified as a result of this policy.

Closing the Gap

A government policy implemented in 2008 that aims to address Indigenous disadvantage by targeting 16 socioeconomic areas, including health, education, housing and employment.

Culture

refers to the way of life of a particular group or society and is comprised of symbols, languages, values and norms. These are learnt by members and passed on to following generations. There are two types: material and non-material culture.

Cultural relativism

Involves attempting to understand a culture by looking at it according to its own standards.

Ethnocentrism

Coined by WG Sumner in 1906, the term refers to the practice of judging another culture by the standards of your own culture.

Cultural suppression

refers to the domination of one culture over another through use of power.

Material culture

refers to tangible aspects of culture; things that we can see and touch, including objects, places and living things that have meaning for a group.

Non-material culture

 refers to the intangible aspects of culture that we cannot see, including language, values, norms and symbols that are passed down my members.

Sociological imagination

an awareness that facilitates the distinction between personal troubles and public issues (CW Mills 1959)

Misconception

To hold a misconception is to have an idea or view about something that is not factual or influenced by misinformation.

Practical reconciliation

Is an approach that focuses on providing services and/or funding to address inequalities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians face.

Protection and Segregation policies

Controlled the way of life of Aboriginal people in the colonies/states. These policies resulted in the forced relocation of Aboriginal people from their land onto reserves/missions and suppressed their culture.

Public awareness

Refers to the information (knowledge) that is known and the understanding that is had about Australian Indigenous culture.

Public views

These consist of the opinions, biases and stereotypes that may be held or that are being challenged about Australian Indigenous culture.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people for the benefit of all Australians. The process officially began as a result of the Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody in 1991. It has both practical and symbolic elements.

Symbolic reconciliation

Are actions and gestures that demonstrate a spirit of goodwill, mutual respect and recognition of the effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It doesn't necessarily actively address the practical problems communities face now, but is seen as a key part of the healing process.