"What are you? But you're not really Aboriginal...!"
Aboriginal people range from dark-skinned, broad-nosed to blonde-hair, blue-eyed. Aboriginal people define Aboriginality not by skin colour but by relationships. However we have continually struggled to identify who is "Aboriginal".
Stereotypes are a fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type or person or group. Unknowingly, we all hold stereotypes that are formed by "popular culture" through the media. The Aboriginal people and their culture are strongly misrepresented through mainstream perceptions of what it means to be an Aboriginal. Light-skinned Aboriginal people often face challenges about their Aboriginal identity because of stereotyping.
You may also unknowingly hold a stereotypical view of what an Aboirignal person may look like. Observe the 13 faces below then take the poll to see if you can identify who is Aboriginal.
Stereotypes are a fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type or person or group. Unknowingly, we all hold stereotypes that are formed by "popular culture" through the media. The Aboriginal people and their culture are strongly misrepresented through mainstream perceptions of what it means to be an Aboriginal. Light-skinned Aboriginal people often face challenges about their Aboriginal identity because of stereotyping.
You may also unknowingly hold a stereotypical view of what an Aboirignal person may look like. Observe the 13 faces below then take the poll to see if you can identify who is Aboriginal.
All these women were posing for the same calender and ALL of them were young Aboriginal women. How did you go trying to spot who was Aboriginal compared to others who have taken the same quiz. It is a common mistake to judge people's Aboriginality on appearance and we often forget that not every Aboriginal is dark skinned. (Credit for this quiz goes entirely to www.creativespirits.com )
Aboriginal people have constantly struggled to have their heritage and identity recognised due to the polarisation of their culture. As a minority group, Aboriginal people have being questioned about the validity of their heritage and identity.
Aboriginal people have constantly struggled to have their heritage and identity recognised due to the polarisation of their culture. As a minority group, Aboriginal people have being questioned about the validity of their heritage and identity.
"People have an image in their minds of what an Aboriginal looks like, which is often black black, very traditional, maybe standing with a spear, one leg up. If somebody doesn't fit into that narrow frame set, then they think they can’t be Aboriginal or at least not 100% Aboriginal.” - Aboriginal man Raymond referenced in About Face Project by Keo Lin
‘Wathaurung Mob’, Bindi Cole
Bindi Cole is an Aboriginal artist. She found herself on many occasions having to explain her Aboriginality because of her blonde hair and blue eyes. In a 2008 exhibition, Not Really Aboriginal, she explored what non-Indigenous people thought "Aboriginal identity" should look like. She photographed members of her light-skinned family who had blackened their faces. The red headbands were traditionally worn by Indigenous elders. This photograph challenged the stereotypical notion of what Aboriginal identity should look like.
"What is Aboriginal? According to most white experts and the media, it's a black person who lives in a remote community, has social issues and claims benefits that are way above what they deserve. So being Aboriginal but white, fairly socially adjusted and living in an urban area, where do I fit in?" —Bindi Cole, Aboriginal artist
The continuation of this struggle has been highlighted in popular media with the controversy between Anthony Mundine and Daniel Geale. Mundine, being known as one of the most vocal Aboriginal identities has openly questioned the right of Geale to identify himself as Aboriginal. In response to this, Geale has drawn support from the Australian public who agree that Aboriginality isn't just skin deep.
After Mundine’s victory in 2009 over rival Indigenous boxer, Daniel Geale, he was called to a rematch in late 2012. During an interview however, Mundine robbed the Tasmanian Aboriginal of his Indigenous heritage, saying he should not wear the Aboriginal flag on his shorts. “I thought they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out,” Mundine claimed. “That’s all I know. I don’t know, I don’t see him representing black people, or coloured people”. He continued to discredit Geale’s involvement in his Indigenous community. “I don’t see him in the communities, I don’t see him doing the things I do to people, and fighting for the people.”
Although Anthony Mundine’s comments were directed at Daniel Geale, the vitriol of his comments was felt by many Aboriginal people, especially in Tasmania. Mundine later apologised to Tasmanian Aboriginal people however he placed another stereotype upon the Aboriginal race adding that he felt many people claim to be Indigenous in order to receive government benefits but had no real connection with their Aboriginal roots.
After Mundine’s victory in 2009 over rival Indigenous boxer, Daniel Geale, he was called to a rematch in late 2012. During an interview however, Mundine robbed the Tasmanian Aboriginal of his Indigenous heritage, saying he should not wear the Aboriginal flag on his shorts. “I thought they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out,” Mundine claimed. “That’s all I know. I don’t know, I don’t see him representing black people, or coloured people”. He continued to discredit Geale’s involvement in his Indigenous community. “I don’t see him in the communities, I don’t see him doing the things I do to people, and fighting for the people.”
Although Anthony Mundine’s comments were directed at Daniel Geale, the vitriol of his comments was felt by many Aboriginal people, especially in Tasmania. Mundine later apologised to Tasmanian Aboriginal people however he placed another stereotype upon the Aboriginal race adding that he felt many people claim to be Indigenous in order to receive government benefits but had no real connection with their Aboriginal roots.
“Attitudes like that are just unacceptable. To put it in language Mundine might understand - Tasmanian Aborigines have gone plenty of rounds with racists and denialists and we’re still standing proud. The last thing we expect is to be king-hit by a prominent Aborigine doing the work of those who tried to wipe us out” - Dewayne Everettsmith
For Aboriginal people, these detrimental attitudes not only exist at a social level but have been carried through at a political level as well. Aboriginal people around the nation have been directly impacted by these attitudes in relation to applying for a 'Confirmation of Aboriginality'. You do not need this document to personally identify as an Indigenous person however it is sometimes required to ensure that only Indgenous people are recieving Indigenous-specific benefits. The requirements of attaining a 'Confirmation of Aboriginality', under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 includes someone who:
- Is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Is accepted as such by the Aboriginal community
A 'Confimation of Aboriginality' can be approved by local Aboriginal land councils and other Aboriginal organisations. Sometimes the applicants are asked by the organisation to present documentation such as brith, death or marriage certificates that prove their Aborginal heritage.
A person’s physical appearance and the way they live are not relevant. However this process is flawed and there are many issues presented when applying for this confirmation, and it is not only experienced by those of lighter skin colour.
The popular TV talk show Insight, aired on SBS, explored this issue more deeply in the episode, "Aboriginal or Not". Insight invited a studio audience of diverse Aboriginal Australians from around the country for a rare and raw discussion on the concept of Aboriginal identity. Directly from the episode, here are three different stories of Aboriginal people and their experience when aplying for this confirmation.
- Is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Is accepted as such by the Aboriginal community
A 'Confimation of Aboriginality' can be approved by local Aboriginal land councils and other Aboriginal organisations. Sometimes the applicants are asked by the organisation to present documentation such as brith, death or marriage certificates that prove their Aborginal heritage.
A person’s physical appearance and the way they live are not relevant. However this process is flawed and there are many issues presented when applying for this confirmation, and it is not only experienced by those of lighter skin colour.
The popular TV talk show Insight, aired on SBS, explored this issue more deeply in the episode, "Aboriginal or Not". Insight invited a studio audience of diverse Aboriginal Australians from around the country for a rare and raw discussion on the concept of Aboriginal identity. Directly from the episode, here are three different stories of Aboriginal people and their experience when aplying for this confirmation.
Dallas Scott
Dallas is a Yuin man who has identified his entire life as Aboriginal. Dallas Scott was initially rejected for a certificate of Aboriginality when he applied last year. When he returned to ask about it, no-one had given him a response as to why he was rejected until he returned a second time to have it approved. That's when they sat him down and said they hadn't "eyeballed him enough".
"That's what it comes down to, that one board can turn around and say, "Right, we are all the ones sitting on the board to say, yes – you’re an Aboriginal." And I can walk into any shopping centre and have a security guard follow me around. As everyone knows, it’s just one of those things where, when I tell my friends that “Hey, I got knocked back from my Aboriginality”, all my friends just laughed at me and said, “No, you have got to be kidding me”. So when I thought about that – I just thought this is absolutely ridiculous. And as I find out later on it was due to some personal issues that were going on. That's why I got mine knocked back - It was someone from the outside talked to someone on the inside in the co-op and I was stopped straight away."
"I felt like it was a big joke, really. Seriously, I mean, living where I am right now, I am still in emergency accommodation, still waiting for a house, can't get any rental property. I have never used the Aboriginal purse, I have always gone off my own back, worked hard, done my own thing and then once I've come back to actually use one of these services, it's like getting spat in the face."
"That's what it comes down to, that one board can turn around and say, "Right, we are all the ones sitting on the board to say, yes – you’re an Aboriginal." And I can walk into any shopping centre and have a security guard follow me around. As everyone knows, it’s just one of those things where, when I tell my friends that “Hey, I got knocked back from my Aboriginality”, all my friends just laughed at me and said, “No, you have got to be kidding me”. So when I thought about that – I just thought this is absolutely ridiculous. And as I find out later on it was due to some personal issues that were going on. That's why I got mine knocked back - It was someone from the outside talked to someone on the inside in the co-op and I was stopped straight away."
"I felt like it was a big joke, really. Seriously, I mean, living where I am right now, I am still in emergency accommodation, still waiting for a house, can't get any rental property. I have never used the Aboriginal purse, I have always gone off my own back, worked hard, done my own thing and then once I've come back to actually use one of these services, it's like getting spat in the face."
Tarran Betterridge
Tarran is a Wiradjuri woman and, like Dallas, has idenitified as Aboriginal her entire life. Tarran had been living in Canberra for about three years after growing up in Western Sydney. She went in with her brother to apply for confirmation. She was handed a form, however for her brother they just asked for his name and gave him the ceritificate straight away. After going through the process Tarran's came back declined.
"I thought it was strange that my full blood brother that walked in with me at the same time could be accepted as Aboriginal – same mother and father – I couldn’t be. The only basis I could base that on was the fact he has slightly more olive skin than I do."
Then in 2010, Tarran went for a job with Generation One. During the process, the lady that interveiwed her said that she would have to get back to her because she had been told she needed to hire an Aboriginal person that looked Aboriginal. Tarran received a phone call the next day to be informed that she didn't get the job because they had to cut their numbers.
" To be honest, I know I don't look Aboriginal. I look at myself and I see my mother completely - she's of Scottish heritage - I don't deny that at all so I understand when people see me face value that I don't look what they expect to see of an Aboriginal person. That in itself is an issue."
"I thought it was strange that my full blood brother that walked in with me at the same time could be accepted as Aboriginal – same mother and father – I couldn’t be. The only basis I could base that on was the fact he has slightly more olive skin than I do."
Then in 2010, Tarran went for a job with Generation One. During the process, the lady that interveiwed her said that she would have to get back to her because she had been told she needed to hire an Aboriginal person that looked Aboriginal. Tarran received a phone call the next day to be informed that she didn't get the job because they had to cut their numbers.
" To be honest, I know I don't look Aboriginal. I look at myself and I see my mother completely - she's of Scottish heritage - I don't deny that at all so I understand when people see me face value that I don't look what they expect to see of an Aboriginal person. That in itself is an issue."
Mark Mcmillan
Mark McMillan says he has always strongly identified as being Indigenous. He was brought up by his Aboriginal grandmother and mother, rather than his English father. Mark is on the board of the Trangie Local Land Council, near Dubbo, and is a Wiradjuri man.
"When you grow up in a small country town, we didn't have choice about identity - we were that Aboriginal family. There are a couple of other people who went through the Andrew Bolt litigation and that was probably the most offensive thing ever to happen in my life where somebody from the outside questions you, you know - I was raised by my mother and grandmother. My father was English and never featured in my life. So my experiences are just that."
"I have seen my family be spat at, I've been, when I grew up, I was the albino boong. There is absolutely a lived experience that comes with Aboriginality and that is not predicated on skin colour and yet we are all out here saying, "But you, looking whiter than me, have had a more privileged existence than me.” And I rally against that understanding because we are Aboriginal by definition because of what's been imposed but it is also because of the way other people have treated us and our families."
"When you grow up in a small country town, we didn't have choice about identity - we were that Aboriginal family. There are a couple of other people who went through the Andrew Bolt litigation and that was probably the most offensive thing ever to happen in my life where somebody from the outside questions you, you know - I was raised by my mother and grandmother. My father was English and never featured in my life. So my experiences are just that."
"I have seen my family be spat at, I've been, when I grew up, I was the albino boong. There is absolutely a lived experience that comes with Aboriginality and that is not predicated on skin colour and yet we are all out here saying, "But you, looking whiter than me, have had a more privileged existence than me.” And I rally against that understanding because we are Aboriginal by definition because of what's been imposed but it is also because of the way other people have treated us and our families."
To watch the full episode of Aboriginal or not: