Indigenous cultures and lifeways

Part One is useful as an introduction to First Nations peoples and cultures in Australia.
This text is written by Yiman and Bidjara academic, Professor Marcia Langton. The first part contains introductory information about Australian First Nations peoples and cultures, such as Cultures, Languages, Storytelling, Native Title and The Stolen Generations. Part Two is like a travel guide to each state and territory, containing details of First Nations festivals, events, places and organisations to engage with. Have a look for local First Nations activities you could do.

This book is useful for the way it explains First Nations knowledge and culture. It is co-written by Nhunggabarra knowledge holder Tex Skuthorpe with non-Indigenous knowledge worker Karl-Erik Sveiby. This book introduces many aspects of Nhunggabarra culture and knowledge practices. There is incredible cultural diversity across First Nations Australia, but this provides insights that can inform your local enquiries. Topics include Country, knowledge, education, leadership and knowledge economies.

This resource contains a lot of detailed information about First Nations peoples that you can use to expand your general knowledge. It is written by non-Indigenous academics. Within its structure as an ‘atlas’ or ‘geographical dictionary’ it engages with First Nations ways of knowing this continent.

This resource is useful for insights into the breadth and depth of First Nations cultures. This resource is specific to the First Nations people of the area where the NT, WA and SA borders meet. It provides insights into Anangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara peoples’ understandings of health and healing, and much more. It provides examples of two-way learning and working, and engages with Anangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara ways of sharing knowledge through stories.

This web resource is useful to learn about First Nations kinship systems. This online module was developed by Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi knowledge holder Associate Professor Lynette Riley. It explains aspects of kinship systems – relationships between people – such as moiety, totem and skin names. The information is presented in accessible animations and videos. Note that the information presented is from one area and while there are similarities across this continent, there are also differences! Be sure to ask local First Nations people for advice.