land and Aboriginal spirituality

Question 1

Land

Answer 1

land is the physical medium by which Aboriginal spirituality (the dreaming) is expressed, “we do not own the land, rather the land owns us” (A Gai-mariagal a Wiradjuri man), depicting the reciprocal relationship of obligation to care for and maintain the heritage of the land which First Nations ancestors lived, through the mutual relationship of totemic responsibilitie

Question 2

Dreaming

Answer 2

Dreaming is a meta-temporal concept that reveals the origin of the universe, connecting both the human, sacred and physical worlds, providing Aboriginal people with purpose and meaning, and allowing them to cultivate their spirituality

Question 3

importance of land

Answer 3

can be seen by the Djab Wurrung people in the sacred “grandfather tree” that had been destroyed in March 2020. For these people, the tree was a place of spiritual guidance for pregnant women and their children when they had undertaken initiation. The tree holds much significance to the Wurrung people, believing that “this land carries their DNA, their bloodline, and acts as guardians” (Sydney Morning Herald 2020).

Question 4

Senator Lidia Thorpe

Answer 4

“Our blood is within that soil given the number of babies that have been born into that area.” (Lidia Thorpe December 2020), demonstrating the loss of spiritual connection to land and ancestors.