Australian Aboriginal elders are highly respected people within Australia and their respective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. An elder has been defined as "someone who has gained recognition as a custodian of knowledge and lore, and who has permission to disclose knowledge and beliefs".[1][2] They may be male or female, and of any age, but must be trusted and respected by their community[3] for their wisdom, cultural knowledge and community service.[4] Elders provide support for their communities in the form of guidance, counselling and knowledge, which help tackle problems of health, education, unemployment and racism,[5][6] particularly for younger people. They may be distinguished as one of two types: community elders and traditional elders.[3] Elders play an important role in maintenance of culture, songs, oral histories, sacred stories, Aboriginal Australian languages,[7] and dance, and are also educators who demonstrate leadership and skills in resolving conflicts. Elders also preside over ceremonies and other spiritual practices, and attend to the health and well-being of young people.[6]
Elders are sometimes addressed by other Aboriginal people as Uncle or Aunty as a mark of respect. The honorific may be used by non-Aboriginal people, but generally only when permission is given to do so.[3][4][1]
Self-determination advocacy organisation the Aboriginal Provisional Government was initially headed by a "Council of Elders" in accordance with the "traditions and beliefs of Aboriginal groups nationwide".[8]
The Dreaming Path, a book written by the first Aboriginal CEO of an Australian TAFE, Paul Callaghan, in collaboration with Ngemba elder Paul Gordon, describes the important role played by elders in Aboriginal society. Some organisations have created formal elder-in-residence programs, such as the University of South Australia's Elders on Campus project, which helps to support Indigenous students.[6][9]
The role of Aboriginal elders has also been the subject of academic research.[10][11]
- ^ a b "Glossary of Terms : "Elder"". Indigenous Teaching. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "MTWW Protocols and Procedures Working in Partnership with Aboriginal Communities". Women's Health Goulbourn North East. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- ^ a b c "Connection to Elders". Supporting Carers (SNAICC). 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Do we reference Elders, older family members as Aunty, Uncle?". Deadly Story. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ Morelli, Laura. "What role does an Elder have in Indigenous Communities?". NITV. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- ^ a b c Heath, Nicola (6 July 2022). "What Indigenous culture can teach us about respecting our elders". ABC News (Australia). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ Liu, Jerry (22 June 2021). "The role of Elders". General Practice Training Queensland. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ "About the Aboriginal Provisional Government". Aboriginal Provisional Government. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ Callaghan, Paul (17 April 2016). The Dreaming Path. Pantera Press. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ Busija, Lucy; Cinelli, Renata; et al. (2018). "The Role of Elders in the Wellbeing of a Contemporary Australian Indigenous Community". The Gerontologist. 60 (3): 513–524. doi:10.1093/geront/gny140. PMID 30500896.
- ^ Warburton, Jeni; Chambers, Briana (2007). "Older Indigenous Australians: their integral role in culture and community". Australasian Journal on Ageing. 26 (1): 3–7. doi:10.1111/j.1741-6612.2007.00213.x. ISSN 1741-6612. S2CID 73009667.