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2012 > November

Bush Rules

Binungal! (Stop! Look! Listen!)

By being on Country watching, listening and learning – we can get to know this Country, respect and use it wisely, and understand how to look after Country.

When we are in Country we follow some basic bush rules and we invite you to follow them too, especially if you are visiting our cultural sites.

  • Absorb what is around you and keep voices to a minimum
  • Keep to tracks and leave plants and animals where they are
  • Where fishing is allowed only catch what you need
  • If you find one of our middens please don’t touch them
  • Please respect our sacred sites if you know them or where they are
  • Remember to look after country so that it can look after us

Yoway! Thank you!

Key Issues We Face

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics census (2011) the Aboriginal population in Australia is 548,368. The total population of Australia is 21,507,717. This equates to Aboriginal people making up 2.5% of total Australian population.

Generally just being Aboriginal exposes you to a vast range of statistics and averages that are equal to and in many cases worse than those living in third world conditions. Have a look at some key statistics below on important social indicators and you can see how we lag behind non-indigenous people in Australia in these and other areas.

Education
• 25% of indigenous people had completed year 12, compared with 52% of non-Indigenous people.
• 26% of Indigenous people reported having a post-school qualification, compared with 49% of non-Indigenous people.
• 4.6% of Indigenous people had attained a bachelor degree or higher, compared with 20% of non-Indigenous people.

Employment
• 42% of Indigenous people aged 15 years or older were employed and 17% were unemployed. In comparison, 61% of non-Indigenous people were employed and 5% were unemployed
• The most common occupation classification of employed Indigenous people was ‘labourer’ (18%) followed by ‘community and personal service workers’ (17%). The most common occupation classification of employed non-Indigenous people was ‘professional’ (22%).

Income
• The average gross household income for Indigenous persons was around approximately 59% of that for non-Indigenous persons.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012) Census of population and housing: characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2011. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Arakwal people are not separate from these statistics and averages. Many of our people have passed on at too young an age, and many still live in harsh conditions. Prior to the Native Title legislation the Arakwal people were not recognised within any level of Government or community. Essential Services and employment opportunities were nonexistent. Many larger communities have developed Aboriginal organisations to address needs and to develop their communities. Many smaller communities had no voice and could only expect to rely on outreach services to try to address issues and deliver vital services.

Substantial improvement to the health and wellbeing of our people requires integrated strategies involving all levels of government, business interests and the wider community working with us to effectively address the complex factors underlying the disadvantages we suffer. This needs to be part of a long-term vision and approach that includes adequate resources and effort being made available over a long period of time, and through changing economic and political cycles.

To learn more about the current conditions the majority of Aboriginal people in Australia live under please have a look at the link below.
http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/overviews/the-context-of-indigenous-health

The negotiation of the 1st Indigenous Land Use agreements (IULA) in 2001 between the Arakwal people and the NSW Government provided the Arakwal with the first real chance to develop new opportunities for our people. The ILUA’s and the establishment of the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) has meant that the Arakwal people are now in a better position to care for the well being of Arakwal people and land.To learn more go to the Key Activities under Arakwal Corporation.
http://arakwal.com.au/category/arakwal-corp/key-activities/

Alongside the welfare and social issues that we contend with every day, some of the main issues we seek to address are:

  • Employment and education opportunities
  • Cultural rejuvenation and practices
  • Caring for Country beyond the Arakwal National Park
  • Cultural resources agreement with Cape Byron Marine Park
  • Children and youth support programs
  • Adequate housing so mob can return to Country
  • Business and economic development
  • Social development and positive lifestyle choices

We believe that by working positively on these areas together with the wider community it provides us with the foundation to make real change and a positive impact for the Arakwal people and land now and in the future.

 

Dolphin (Wajung)
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is an important totem for our people. Wajoong gives us messages about relationships between our clan members, to our ancestors and the past, and also to particular places and sites in our Country. We have stories of our people and dolphins communicating and connecting with each other, including co-operative fishing, sharing resources from the ocean, and playing in the shallows. Sea Eagle (Miwing)
White Breasted Sea Eagle (Haliaetus leucogaster) is an important totem for us. Miwing gives us messages about clan and family groups, provides knowledge on hunting practices and environmental events on Country. The second largest raptor (bird of prey), you can see the majestic Miwing soaring above you as you walk along Tallow Beach or around the Cape. Carpet Snake (Kabul)
Carpet Snake (Morelia spilota) as one of our key totems symbolises the relationship of clan members to each other, to our ancestors and the past, and to particular places or sites. Kabul are important to us for their conservation, wild resource and other cultural values. Brush Turkey (Wollum)
Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) is a messenger providing clues about and demonstrating knowledge and adaptability in knowing and using Country. Wollum lives and moves freely in the coastal bush, foraging through leaf litter for food to eat. The male builds large mounds out of vegetative material and uses it to incubate their eggs. Pied Oystercatcher (language name?)
Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) is an important bird to us because they provide messages about food sources and environmental events in Country. The Pied forages on the beaches and rocky shores, in mudflats of inlets, bays, ocean beaches, and on offshore islets. Green Turtle (Bijahlin)
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is an important messenger that provides knowledge of the sea Country. Biwing nests on north coast beaches including Tallow Beach and Lennox Heads to the south. Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) supports significant populations of the Biwing and if you go snorkeling or diving there, you can have a close encounter with these graceful creatures.