Since 1788, British colonisation brought violence, land loss, and forced removals that disconnected Aboriginal peoples from their Country and culture. Diseases like smallpox, flu, and measles devastated communities and caused widespread death and cultural disruption.
Later policies, including taking children from their families, broke cultural ties and caused deep lasting trauma. These impacts are still felt today in unequal health outcomes, education, housing, and justice.
Healing is a process
Healing is a process for everyone to acknowledge the disruption and impact this trauma has had upon them and Country. It also involves listening to and walking with Aboriginal people, working to restore Aboriginal culture, communities and connection to Country.
Impact of first contact
Sydney (Gamay Botany Bay) was the site of first contact between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in 1788. This encounter marked the beginning of colonisation.
Aboriginal people fiercely resisted the invasion of their land. Sydney’s Aboriginal population were at the heart of this fight. The conflict in the Sydney region, known as the Sydney Wars, spanned from 1788 to 1817.
From 1790 until his death in 1802, Bidjigal warrior Pemulwuy led a guerrilla war against the burgeoning colony at Sydney, that at times seriously threatened its existence. After being killed his skull and artefacts were taken to London and, despite extensive lobbying, has yet to be returned. There are still many human remains and artefacts in museums across the world that are yet to be repatriated.
Activism in Redfern
Redfern became an epicentre for Aboriginal people in Sydney.
The first Aboriginal Legal Service in Australia was established, as well as community-based organisations, including the Aboriginal Medical Service. The National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) and the Black Theatre were also established.
Find out more in the untold story of Aboriginal activism and resurgence in the 1970s.
Truth-telling
Truth-telling is the open sharing of hard historical truths after periods of conflict. Telling the truth helps societies move forward in a more inclusive way based on acceptance, recognition and integrity.
Truth-telling is an essential step towards healing and moving towards a more just and equitable future.
It’s important to hear Aboriginal peoples’ side of the story.
And it’s important for non-Aboriginal people to understand the ongoing harms that Australian government policies, institutions and practices have on Aboriginal families and their deep relationship to Country.
Case studies
Young Aboriginal girls were taken from their families and put into government care at Parramatta Girls' Home in Sydney.
Many of these girls were mistreated and abused. To acknowledge the harms done to the girls and their families, and the ongoing pain and trauma, the NSW Government opened a memorial site. It is also designed to be a place where people can go to heal and find peace.
The memorial is an important step towards truth-telling and reconciliation between government and Aboriginal communities.
The Appin Massacre was a tragic event where Dharawal men, women and children were brutally killed by British soldiers on 17 April 1816 at the Appin site.
Today, this Western Sydney site is considered a place of great cultural significance for the local Dharawal people and has been listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
The Australian Museum dedicated an exhibition to The Appin Massacre.
A new model for the Aboriginal joint management of NSW national parks is being developed. The process is underway with the NSW Government consulting with Aboriginal people and other national park stakeholders.
The new model will recognise Aboriginal land ownership and provide for the potential handback of title to all NSW national parks over a 15 to 20-year period, subject to the land being leased back to the NSW Government for its continued use and management as a national park.
This will strengthen the use of cultural knowledge to understand and care for Country. Aboriginal people are the voice of Country.
Always on Country
Whether we’re in the city, on the sea or in the bush – wherever we are we’re always on Country.
Aboriginal science
Aboriginal science is a rich knowledge system developed over thousands of years through close connection with land, sea and sky Country. It is grounded in cultural Lore, kinship systems, and ceremony and passed down through story, practice and place.
This deep ecological understanding supports sustainable land care, conservation and intergenerational learning. Aboriginal science and cultural knowledge is central to healing Country and showing relationships between humans and nature.
The Cultural Science Team embraces ‘two-way learning’ and ‘two-eyed seeing’ approaches. This means they use traditional and deep knowledge of Country from Aboriginal communities along with making the most of ideas, knowledge and methods of Western science.
For more information see Cultural science research.
More information
- Watch The Australian Wars, an award-winning documentary series
- Visit Unsettled: Uncovering our nation’s hidden history, the Australian Museum’s exhibition on truth-telling and reconciliation
- Learn about Challenging Terra Nullius, the Australian National Library's topic on Aboriginal agriculture and settlement in pre-colonial Australia
- Support Aboriginal-owned businesses on Supply Nation's database
Terms
Aboriginal
The term Aboriginal acknowledges Indigenous, First Nations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Lore
Aboriginal Lore is cultural knowledge passed from generation to generation.
It describes customs, roles and responsibilities for all aspects of life including protocols and ceremony.