DP9-Aboriginal-Spirituality

Preface and Acknowledgments
This discussion paper argues for the centrality of Aboriginal Spirituality in the practice of social and emotional
wellbeing and for applications in all areas of Aboriginal development. Although often mentioned in the literature
on Aboriginal health and social and emotional wellbeing, Spirituality has been in danger of becoming one of
the undefined terms—like wellbeing, community, identity—that are used in various contexts and with various
meanings attached, and in ways that obscure the reality of Indigenous Australian knowledges, philosophies
and practices. In common with terms such as the Dreaming, it has lost significant meaning when translated into
English. This discussion paper importantly defines Aboriginal Spirituality by privileging the voices of Aboriginal
people themselves and those of well-respected observers of Aboriginal culture. It demonstrates how those who
are well exemplify Spirituality in everyday life and cultural expression. Having commonalities with international
Indigenous groups, it is also deeply appreciated by non-Aboriginal people who understand and value the different
ontologies (understandings of what it means to be), epistemologies (as ways of knowing) and axiologies (the
bases of values and ethics) that Aboriginal philosophy embodies, as potential value to all peoples.
Spirituality includes Indigenous Australian knowledges that have informed ways of being, and thus wellbeing,
since before the time of colonisation, ways that have been subsequently demeaned and devalued. Colonial
processes have wrought changes to this knowledge base and now Indigenous Australian knowledges stand in
a very particular relationship of critical dialogue with those introduced knowledges that have oppressed them.
Spirituality is the philosophical basis of a culturally derived and wholistic concept of personhood, what it means
to be a person, the nature of relationships to others and to the natural and material world, and thus represents
strengths and difficulties facing those who seek to assist Aboriginal Australians to become well. This discussion
paper questions the advisability of approaches that incorporate an Aboriginal perspective or cultural awareness
as an overlay to the Western practices of dealing with mental health issues. Western practices have developed
out of an entirely different concept of personhood, development of the individual and relationships to the
wider world, and further research in this area, particularly incorporating the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people, is critical to ways forward.
This discussion paper originated as a literature review in 2007 for the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal
Health (CRCAH) with the support and collaboration of Professor Judy Atkinson of the Gnibi College of Indigenous
Australian Peoples. This has proven to be a very fruitful association and I am most appreciative of the collegiate
relationship that we have developed. The project included a reference group, which advised on the shape of
the project and commented on the draft, and which included:
Ms Louise Campbell
Aboriginal Education Advisor
Office of Catholic Education
Maitland Diocese, New South Wales
Mr Michael Williams
Director
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit
The University of Queensland, Queensland
Associate Professor Norm Sheehan
Research Leader
Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Design
Anthropology
Swinburne University, Victoria
Mr Jim Everett
Aboriginal activist, writer and poet
Cape Barren Island, Tasmania
Mr Greg Telford
Rekindling the Spirit
Lismore, New South Wales
Dr Bronwyn Fredericks
National Health and Medical Research Council
Research Fellow
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council,
Queensland
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