Book description
A comprehensive, relevant, and accessible look at all aspects of
Indigenous Australian history and culture
What is The Dreaming? How many different Indigenous tribes and
languages once existed in Australia? What is the purpose of a
corroboree? What effect do the events of the past have on Indigenous
peoples today? Indigenous Australia For Dummies answers these
questions and countless others about the oldest race on Earth. It
explores Indigenous life in Australia before 1770, the impact of white
settlement, the ongoing struggle by Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples to secure their human rights and equal treatment
under the law, and much more.
Celebrating the contributions of Indigenous people to contemporary
Australian culture, the book explores Indigenous art, music, dance,
literature, film, sport, and spirituality. It discusses the concept of
modern Indigenous identity and examines the ongoing challenges facing
Indigenous communities today, from health and housing to employment
and education, land rights, and self-determination.
- Explores significant political moments-such as Paul Keating's
Redfern Speech and Kevin Rudd's apology, and more
- Profiles celebrated people and organisations in a variety of
fields, from Cathy Freeman to Albert Namatjira to the Bangarra Dance
Theatre and the National Aboriginal Radio Service
- Challenges common stereotypes about Indigenous people and
discusses current debates, such as a land rights and inequalities in
health and education
This book will enlighten readers of all backgrounds about the
history, struggles and triumphs of the diverse, proud, and fascinating
peoples that make up Australia's Indigenous communities. With a
foreword by former PM Malcolm Fraser, Indigenous Australia For
Dummies is a must-read account of Australia's first people.
'Indigenous Australia For Dummies is an important contribution
to the broad debate and to a better understanding of our past history.
Hopefully it will influence future events.'-Former Prime Minister
Malcolm Fraser
Professor Larissa Behrendt is a Eualeyai and Kamillaroi woman. She
is Professor of Law and Director of Research at the Jumbunna
Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney,
and the author of several novels and books about Indigenous issues.
She was named as 2009 NAIDOC Person of the Year and 2011 New South
Wales Australian of the Year.
