1. Indigenous Australia: Flags, Dreaming and Family Ties NDW 4M Miss Hohner

2. The Aboriginal Flag The flag is divided horizontally into equal halves of black and red, with a yellow circle in the centre. The flag is divided horizontally into equal halves of black and red, with a yellow circle in the centre. Black symbolizes Aboriginal people, yellow represents the sun (the constant re-newer of life) and the red depicts the earth and peoples’ relationship to the land. Red also represent ochre, which is used in aboriginal ceremonies. Black symbolizes Aboriginal people, yellow represents the sun (the constant re-newer of life) and the red depicts the earth and peoples’ relationship to the land. Red also represent ochre, which is used in aboriginal ceremonies. Today the flag has been adopted by all Aboriginal groups and is flown or displayed permanently at Aboriginal centres throughout Australia. Today the flag has been adopted by all Aboriginal groups and is flown or displayed permanently at Aboriginal centres throughout Australia.

3. What the flag looks like…

4. Spirituality For the Aboriginal people, spirituality takes many forms. Its forms and practices have been influenced by colonialism. But for most people religious beliefs are derived from a sense of belonging to the land, sea, other people and to one’s culture. For the Aboriginal people, spirituality takes many forms. Its forms and practices have been influenced by colonialism. But for most people religious beliefs are derived from a sense of belonging to the land, sea, other people and to one’s culture. Aboriginal spirituality derives from the stories of the dreaming. Aboriginal spirituality derives from the stories of the dreaming.

5. Dreaming The Dreaming has different meanings for different Aboriginal groups. The Dreaming can be seen as the embodiment of Aboriginal creation which gives meaning to everything. It establishes rules governing relationships between the people, the land and all things for Aboriginal people. The Dreaming has different meanings for different Aboriginal groups. The Dreaming can be seen as the embodiment of Aboriginal creation which gives meaning to everything. It establishes rules governing relationships between the people, the land and all things for Aboriginal people. Those who did not follow the rules were punished. Those who did not follow the rules were punished. The Dreaming did not end with the arrivals of the Europeans, but entered a new phase. It’s a powerful living force that must be maintained and cared for. The Dreaming did not end with the arrivals of the Europeans, but entered a new phase. It’s a powerful living force that must be maintained and cared for.

6. What are Dreaming Stories about? Stories vary throughout Australia and there are different versions of the same theme (i.e. how birds got their colours is different in NSW and in WA). Stories vary throughout Australia and there are different versions of the same theme (i.e. how birds got their colours is different in NSW and in WA). There are creation stories, stories about language, the first use of fire or trading stories. There are creation stories, stories about language, the first use of fire or trading stories. The Tracks of Life – journey of the Spirit Ancestors across the land are recorded in the Dreaming Track. Traces the path of an Ancestral Being as it moved through the landscape. One spirit shared by Aboriginal communities across Australia is the Rainbow Spirit. The Tracks of Life – journey of the Spirit Ancestors across the land are recorded in the Dreaming Track. Traces the path of an Ancestral Being as it moved through the landscape. One spirit shared by Aboriginal communities across Australia is the Rainbow Spirit.

7. The Rainbow Serpent

8. The Mimi Spirits The Mimi are tall, thin beings that live in the rocky escarpment of northern Australia as spirits. They are generally harmless, but can be mischievous. When the Aboriginal people first came to Australia, the Mimi taught them how to cook, hunt and cook kangaroos and other animals. They also did the first rock paintings and taught the Aboriginal people how to paint. The Mimi are tall, thin beings that live in the rocky escarpment of northern Australia as spirits. They are generally harmless, but can be mischievous. When the Aboriginal people first came to Australia, the Mimi taught them how to cook, hunt and cook kangaroos and other animals. They also did the first rock paintings and taught the Aboriginal people how to paint.

9. The Mimi as a cave painting

10. The Family

11. About Indigenous Families The Elders – bridge the past and present and provide guidance for the future. They teach important traditions and pass on skills, knowledge and personal experiences. They are treated with respect. The Elders – bridge the past and present and provide guidance for the future. They teach important traditions and pass on skills, knowledge and personal experiences. They are treated with respect. Family ties – strong family ties that are rarely endorsed or understood by government authorities. Children are not just the concern of the biological parents, but the entire community. The raising, care, education, and discipline are the responsibility of everyone – male, female, young and old. Family ties – strong family ties that are rarely endorsed or understood by government authorities. Children are not just the concern of the biological parents, but the entire community. The raising, care, education, and discipline are the responsibility of everyone – male, female, young and old.