Question 1 10 Points Describe the diversity of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures and include in your answer; · Concept of community · Kinship · Stolen generation · Totem · Native...

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1. Diversity of Aboriginal Culture
(a) Concept of Community: The concept of community is highly important for indigenous populations and refers to the relationships they share with each other. It involves a sense of belongingness, binding the families and community in social, cultural and emotional ways. Their sense of identity and cultural rights are important for them. The Child and Young Person’s Care and Protection Act 1998, identified the importance of community for the Aboriginal Communities (Aboriginal Child Family and Community Care State Secretariat [ABSec], 2020). The Act emphasises on collective history of these populations, their relationships and their lived experiences. Other than neighbours, there are local groups which are connected through different relationships and this sense of connectedness is there even in absence of any formal ties based on nationhood.
(b) Kinship: The kinship identifies the responsibilities and roles of people for each other, for natural resources and the land. According to moiety system, everything is split into equal parts. The people sharing same moiety are siblings and are liable to support each other. The children also inherit the skin names of their parents since their birth.
(c) Stolen Generation: Many generations were removed from their descent families by the state and federal governments of Australia. They were called by a number and raised by the foster parents or by missions. They were harassed even if they tried to speak their native language.
(d) Totem: There is totem system which grants at least four totems to each indigenous person: nation, clan, family and their personal. The totems connect the people to their land, animals, geographical features and water. The family, nation and clan totems exist since the before the birth of a person while the individual totem identifies the personal strengths and weaknesses of people. The individual people are responsible to their totems and ensure that they pass on these totems to future generations.
(e) Native Title: The indigenous people have their interests and rights related to their ancestral land as specified by their traditional laws. This title is governed by the Native Title Act 1993 (Kimberley Land Council, 2020). The indigenous people are considered the first people of Australia. In spite of settlement, their rights exist. The native title provides the interests and rights to erect shelters and live on that place, use the place for ceremonies and other traditional functions, engage with cultural activities and customs, and visit the important sites and places.
(f) Obligations: The indigenous people have strong responsibilities towards their families and children which includes their education, discipline and care. The families depend on family ties while passing on their cultural beliefs from one generation to other. The obligations of families towards each other are more important than their own needs.
2. Common Diseases and Impact of Trauma: The three most common diseases faced by the aboriginal communities involve respiratory illness, Cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2015). One third of Indigenous populations have some kind of respiratory diseases. The respiratory diseases contribute to 8% of disease burden and are third main cause of deaths in these people (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). Cardiovascular diseases are significant health issue in aboriginal communities due to high risk factors such as smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. CVD accounts for ¼ deaths in aboriginal populations and occur in aboriginal people 10-20 years earlier than in non indigenous people (Agostino, 2020). The indigenous people are about 3-4 times higher risk of developing diabetes than the non indigenous people (Titmuss, 2019).
The trauma affects the tendency of mental health, self harm, suicide, alcohol addiction, community or domestic violence and incarceration. The community is influenced by the historic trauma, exposing them to vulnerability and disadvantage. Trauma also lowers down their concentration level, declines their auditory abilities and reduces their tendency of participating in open communication. Trauma adversely affects the ability of people in understanding, communicating, making decisions and retaining any information.
3. Involving Aboriginal People in planning and delivery of services: The mainstream healthcare services are not adequate to meet the needs of indigenous people. In this regard indigenous primary healthcare (PHC) services are managed and provided for the welfare of indigenous people (Harfield, Davy & McArthur, 2018). The aboriginal populations can be involved in planning and delivery of services in three ways:
(a) Employing the indigenous youth in Primary Healthcare System. These services address the social determinants of these communities. The indigenous healthcare system refers to cultural, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of aboriginal communities. The PHS employs the indigenous youth as staff and clinicians and they are involved in planning and treatment of the indigenous communities.
(b) Engaging the indigenous people in network with local indigenous community of their area and partnering with them in certain projects or interventions. The elderly people may be invited from indigenous communities to take part in specific celebrations and events. For this existing network, resources and services may be utilized.
(c) We can involve the Community Leaders and Senior...