Exploring Aboriginal People’s Connection to Country to Strengthen Human–Nature Theoretical Perspectives ^☆

In this chapter, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, as this is the preferred terminology of the peak body of Aboriginal community health (NACCHO, 2012). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are members/descendants of Aboriginal cultures of Australia or the Torres Strait Islands, through identification and acceptance by the community. The Australian Human Rights Commission (2013) notes that Aboriginal peoples are the first inhabitants of Australia and are diverse in geography, language and tradition. ‘Indigenous’ refers to Traditional Custodian groups in the international context in accordance with international law to represent over 350 million people (Stephens, Porter, Nettleton, & Willis, 2006). However, it must be acknowledged that Traditional Custodian groups worldwide have their own unique practices, beliefs and knowledge systems.

Abstract

Purpose

Aboriginal people across Australia have diverse practices, beliefs and knowledges based on thousands of generations of managing and protecting their lands (Country). The intimate relationship Aboriginal people have with their Country is explored in this chapter because such knowledge is important for building insight into the relationship between social and ecological systems. Often in research Aboriginal views have been marginalised from discussions focused on their lands to the detriment of ecosystems and human health. This chapter aims to understand if such marginalisation is evident in Western human–nature relationship discourses.

Approach

This chapter provides a critical literature review which examines whether Aboriginal people’s diverse understanding of their ecosystems have been incorporated into human–nature theories using the biophilia hypothesis as a starting point. Other concepts explored include solastalgia, topophilia and place.

Findings

Critiques of these terminologies in the context of Aboriginal people’s connection to Country are limited but such incorporation is viewed in the chapter as a possible mechanism for better understanding human’s connection to nature. The review identified that Aboriginal people’s relationship to Country seems to be underrepresented in the human–nature theory literature.

Value

This chapter emphasises that the integration of Aboriginal perspectives into research, ecological management and policy can provide better insight into the interrelationships between social and ecological systems.

Citation

Yotti Kingsley, J., Townsend, M. and Henderson-Wilson, C. (2013), "Exploring Aboriginal People’s Connection to Country to Strengthen Human–Nature Theoretical Perspectives ^☆

In this chapter, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, as this is the preferred terminology of the peak body of Aboriginal community health (NACCHO, 2012). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are members/descendants of Aboriginal cultures of Australia or the Torres Strait Islands, through identification and acceptance by the community. The Australian Human Rights Commission (2013) notes that Aboriginal peoples are the first inhabitants of Australia and are diverse in geography, language and tradition. ‘Indigenous’ refers to Traditional Custodian groups in the international context in accordance with international law to represent over 350 million people (Stephens, Porter, Nettleton, & Willis, 2006). However, it must be acknowledged that Traditional Custodian groups worldwide have their own unique practices, beliefs and knowledge systems.

", Ecological Health: Society, Ecology and Health (Advances in Medical Sociology, Vol. 15), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 45-64. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1057-6290(2013)0000015006