Culturally informed practice within community services is vital – especially for the future of our Indigenous Australian children.
Loosely translated, the word “customs” refers to Indigenous Australian customs and traditions – the Indigenous Australian way of doing things. For Indigenous Australians, to act in accordance with customs is to behave in a way that is culturally proper or appropriate.
Indigenous Australian children make up only a small percentage of all children in Australia; however, they represent a significant proportion of all children in state care. With so many Indigenous Australian children in state care, it is crucial that those working with these children and their families are familiar with customs in order to create long-lasting and beneficial outcomes for all involved.
So, what exactly are these customs? And, more importantly, how can we make sure that we’re putting them into practice?
One theoretical principle of these customs is kinship. A foundational value for Indigenous Australians, kinship is created through forming, sharing, and maintaining close relationships and ties with people and communities. In working together to embody the principles of kinship, we provide the basis and framework for a sense of belonging and unity – an integral part of any child’s development, particularly for Indigenous Australian children.
When Indigenous Australian children are deprived of kinship, this has a significant impact not only on their cultural heritage but also on how they think, act, and develop. Kinship equips children and youth with the valuable skills needed not just to survive but to thrive. When working with Indigenous Australian children, we need to make sure that we’re forming connections and building social networks around them that will both support and create a community.
Another example of these customs is the principle of nurturing and compassion. This means to nurture others and extend love and compassion to others, whether that be to a loved one or a complete stranger. Nurturing and compassion are particularly important for Indigenous Australians as they secure and ensure the strength of families and communities.
Nurturing and compassion create a feeling of support, belonging, and worth – all of which are needed for children to thrive. By embodying these principles in our practice, we give children hope that self-reliance is attainable.
Finally, another important aspect of these customs is guardianship. A guardian is someone who looks after and protects our environment. In embodying this custom and teaching our children ways to protect and respect our land, we can allow them to remain connected to their environment and culture.