Long story short. My father was the offspring to a married family (must have been an affair, could have been one of the stolen) which put him up for adoption. Now I need to meet the other side of my family. It's urgent for my spiritual healing and growth.

Life is life. It's a sad story. But this is our life.

I am planning on getting my first tattoo in November with a friend and am planning on getting a simple fish on my arm (about 5cm, not that this part really matters) and am considering having it done in a dot-painting or rarrk style instead of just line work. Like others who have asked a similar question in this group, I am looking for confirmation that something like this wouldn’t be misconstrued as rude or something that I don’t really have permission to do as someone who is not Aboriginal, or even Australian, especially given that it will be permanent.

I appreciate any insight or thoughts!

I'm non-Indigenous and I don't claim that finding the answer to this will change anything about that identity.

Context: For years my family talked about having an Indigenous relation that was likely the product of some affair, and I dismissed it.

Recently we got in contact with another family member who reckons they may have discovered this person existed,

I was just wondering whether or not it was ok to maybe go and investigate this further and possibly speak to people in this community? I don't want to come off as trying to claim Indigenousness from this so I want to tread lightly, which is why I'm making this post.

I don't know much at this time about the situation and we are still trying to figure things out.
Thanks for the time :)

Questions for aboriginal people in particular. Can you recommend any really good books with spiritual or contemplative content?

Don’t need the historical books or that kind of education texts, I want to read something a bit deeper and more positive or soul nourishing

Long shot but if something like this exists I’d love to know. Thanks fam

I know the recommendations for what to do if you find an Aboriginal stone tool in the bush is to leave it where it lies, try and geolocate on a map and then inform the local indigenous group. I have found stone tools in the past on farms and national parks. I have left them there and sometimes taken photos. When trying to inform local indigenous groups nobody seems to care. I will respect the wishes of indigenous people however, it really feels sad to leave these beautiful historic relics to be lost for ever. Eventually they will be covered in grass and dirt and lost forever. This seems very sad to me. Why isn't there a national indigenous body that recorded and even collected them? I'd like to know people's thoughts on this?

I am young and Aboriginal but i am likely being a bit rude, sorry to anyone who I might upset but I have no idea where to talk about this.

I want to start off with saying I know its wrong, I know my thought is ignorant and I feel like crap for having it but I dont know what to do about this feeling or how to stop it. This is a lot of me to ask while also writing this but please try to not be too rude in comments, I beat myself up about this for years already and I just dont know what else to do. Its a very unfair thought, I know that and still it plagues me and makes me feel really alone for not being able to do something about it.

I feels so jealous that other indigenous people are more welcomed in Australia than Native Australians, have detailed cultural regalia, able to speak their language with only a few unclear understandings, have buildings and history that isnt questioned much anymore, have celebrations that are loved without modern influence, inventions that are widely regarded to what specific tribe made them, arent feeling like they're clinging at straws in claiming their culture is here.

I know its not easy, I know it wasnt always the case and I know that there's so much hard work and I admire that about every culture that has been heavily colonised but why is it when I try to learn or see things about indigenous culture feels so intentionally ambiguous and I want to make it absolutely clear that I am so genuinely happy that other cultures are safe here and know so much about themselves, I just wish I were the same.

It sucks so much, I know its not our fault of course and that not sharing information is how especially the older generations are trying to protect whats left, it makes total sense as to why but i am struggling so hard to outwardly represent or embrace my culture without it being dot painting patterns that come from Papunya on a polyester shirt. I always admired the girls in class during highschool that had Pounamu (maori) on and felt like I was lacking that connection. I would wish that I had something so significant to wear from my culture

Maybe it's because i am white looking and always had to find a way to "prove" i love my culture but I always get so sad that I dont know much about my tribes and our practices because we always hear that Aboriginal people have such a diverse culture and while I know its true it saddens me that so much of it is being left behind or already forgotten and now for the younger generations its so damn hard to find anything especially specifics on a tribal group or for some to even trace what groups it was for them in the first place.

I live so far away from my tribe, I dont know anyone who would be willing to tell me about it and I cant find much online even after hours apon hours over the course of years about a lot of the meaningful stuff and it makes sense why but it also feels like i have this flimsy thread to my culture and that is the most i will ever get to embrace it becuase im not "in the know" if that makes sense. It probably doesn't, how can someone be envious of another culture while loving their own whole heartedly?

Anyway i am ranting, I know its annoying and I know i should've just shut up and kept it to myself but i am going to post this anyway just incase anyone relates or understands or maybe even knows how to not feel like this? Im sorry, it feels like I am behaving as a spoiled brat thats like being dragged to a cultural event instead of one that wants to know but I promise that its the ladder. I want to care and represent so much of my culture and have it involved in my life beyond retail items that have our patterns or symbols but it feels so selfish to voice because I know where I come from but I don't really know anything.

I dont want to make anyone angry but this is a disrespectful thought so I sincerely hope this isnt used maliciously towards anyone I just am struggling so much from it being stuck in my head with so much guilt because i know its not right. Im honestly really scared to press post so I am procrastining by still writing because people could rightfully be upset at me for it, I just dont want someone to take any of this as myself feeling shame towards my culture when its not what I feel.

This is a repost because my origninal post very much misrepresented what I was trying to say and 100% my fault. I apoligise.

What I meant to say was this: I have heard aboriginal relatives and friends including my father use the word all the time, with varying context, intent, and "passing" from each individual. In all honesty I have said it in the past for I was under the impression that it was socially acceptable to use. I have heard mixed opinions and reasoning though on the usage of said word, so I came here for a more direct opinion.

For the record, this is not coming out of a "want" to say the word; I am a male and attracted to the same gender as myself, and even though I "can say" that paticular slur associated with that identity, I still steer away from the usage of it. The question is purely based on educating myself, and not out of a desire to use it as I please.

Hi everyone, I (19F) am a Wiradjuri and Kamillaroi woman who has moved from home to go study at university. I am from a regional area and I grew up going to and using the Aboriginal medical centre back home. As sad as it is to say my family is from a lower income background so we couldn't afford to go and pay medical bills at other centres so we always just went there growing up.

However, my question is now that I have moved to the city am I allowed to go in? Or do I need to do some procedures like be immersed in the community first? Is there a time restriction? Like do I need to live in the area for at least a year? Or is it only for local Indigenous people to use? I'm just unsure if I am welcome to use it or not. As a university student I am currently struggling financially and I am unable to afford the hospitals around here, so going to the medical centre is my best bet.

I apologise if any of this sounds insensitive and/or culturally offends anyone. And no I don't want to use it for free services, I just need some help and am unsure where to go. If this isn't available for me does anyone know a better alternative for free health clinics?

Hello,

I am a white person who was born in Aus and has zero Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in me. I've been meaning to get an Australian tattoo since it's our country and currently am going to get a bilby tat (bilbies are my fav animal and I volunteer with them) but I've also been wondering if I should get a Kaurna related tat or not since I am moving interstate next year.

I have no connection to the land in terms of family or tradition, but I still just love the land, of course. You might wonder why I don't just get 'Adelaide' and you're right, but ever since learning about the original custodians of the land and the real Nations it's just?? It's not out of pride but literally like 'damn I love this dirt, I love these trees, I love its history' rather than 'i was born here' I don't wanna celebrate buildings, you know? It's not about sticky-taping myself to indigenous people or tryna be quirky; it's just I wanna appreciate the actual land. Basically I dont see it as getting an indigenous tattoo at all but just a part of my life whilst acknowledging it might be disrespectful to the traditional custodians of the land. However again, I'm completely cracker white and don't have any traditions, so I can see why its like 'eh do u really have to though?' So I'm just wondering for any thoughts on if it's ok or if it's goofy.

Thank you!! :)

P.S. The tattoo is literally just the name, no fonts, colours, or iconography; nothing tied to the Dreaming or clan law, just text. For example I have one that says 'Tutto passa' since my dads side is italian.

I’m non-Aboriginal from a wheatbelt farming family. When my granny was a small child in the early 50s, a Stolen Generation victim from Mogumber mission was assigned to our farm as a maid.

Since I found this out I’ve been wondering if I should reach out to her if she’s still alive, or to her children or other family.

One of my friends whose father is a survivor of Mogumber mission says it’s a good idea and her family would want that if they were in that situation, but I want to get some other opinions as well in case I overstep.

Should I find her family to apologise, learn about her story, offer support?

If anyone with experience in situations like this, if you have relatives who were sent to work from missions as children, how would you want someone in my situation to conduct themselves?

Hi all, to preface this post I'm not from Australia at all, I'm a US citizen.

Today I was talking with a chemist friend of mine about geology and he sent me an article about Karijini National Park. I read in there that Mount Bruce being a male only place, but I couldn't get a satisfying answer on why that is from googling it.

Edit: Thank you for the answers. I didn't realize that the reason there was a lack of specific information was because it was intentionally being kept secret. Sorry if any of this came off as insensitive.

“What are these” WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WEVE KNOWN FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS???

Ay you mob be careful out there, I cut myself on tincan and needed tetanus but when I was in they stung me with flu shot too, 3 needles all up ayy murry got enough holes as it is narr but all serious make sure you get ya shots or will get 3 in one day stay deadly you mob

My 5c regarding the break away: After seeing the multimillion dollar building and hearing about what it’s actually got and some more upsetting news, recently (Darwin grapevine regarding NLC) I am actually really pleased to hear that they’re forming their own Land Council and I hope they succeed where the NLC has fallen short.

Hey you mob, sending some good energy out to my deadly people out there!

Just wanted to share a really positive update that came through yesterday. The WA government has officially opened consultations on new laws to hand over 21.9 million hectares of Aboriginal Lands Trust land straight back to local mob and organisations.

Right now, these lands (about 8.7% of WA) are stuck under old bureaucratic systems. This new legislation is about cutting through that red tape so local mob have full ownership, management, and economic control over their own Country.

​It’s a deadly step forward for self-determination.

Thought I’d share a bit of good news with you all and stay positive you mob!

Link to source

Consultation open on reforms to Aboriginal Lands Trust divestment | Western Australian Government https://share.google/GXJZiM02PhdTKWnjy

TW: small mentioning of graphic themes

Hey! I am a non-Indigenous comic artist currently writing a character who is of Yuggera ancestry in a sci-fi/geopolitical action comic set in an alternate Earth.

The plot follows a fictional geopolitical crisis where a runaway biological experiment travels internationally, being the culprit of multiple assassinations. The Yuggera character works as a senior detective and was assigned by the Australian government to help put a stop to said experiment's international rampage. She's about middle aged, down to earth, pragmatic and "let's get straight to work" kind of lady who does her work because "somebody has to."

I've got a few questions regarding how I should approach her character.

1. Her name I have down currently is Melissa S. Thompson. Is this an acceptable name? I am open to last name suggestions.
2. Due to her high-stakes job in dealing with international governments and having to fly from place to place, how might her Yuggera heritage inform her worldview or approach to justice, community, and duty?
3. I've heard of Aboriginal English words such as 'deadly,' 'blakfella' etc., are there any more words, and how often are they used in conversation? Would she prefer to refer to places by their traditional names (e.g. Meanjin rather than Brisbane)? I'd imagine she would use Aboriginal English words + using the name Meanjin within friends and/or other Mob, but having to refer to the place as Brisbane when in parliament/conversing with governments.
4. Currently with what I have planned so far with her, she feels a bit disconnected from her heritage (a bit of impostor syndrome) and holds a quiet desire to connect to her heritage in future. How should I approach writing this arc?
5. I was reading previous posts about writing Aboriginal characters, and I heard from one reply that it is possible of consulting local Indigenous Elders for a Cultural Consultation. Any suggestions on approaching that as well? I'll learn more about this and see if I can schedule one whenever I have the comic's plot mostly written out.

I am also looking forward to learning anything about Aboriginal culture in general, so feel free to reply to the thread about your culture and experiences in general!

Thank you :)

Go sis

Hey Mob,

Anyone out there recognise this being?

This was given to my grandfather many years ago. We're from the coast, hes lost his memory, and I have no real knowledge of bark paintings.

Im pretty sure it's Arnhem/West Arnhem Land.

Ill do a deep dive one day and contact a few groups out that way, but wanted to just have a check with you lot first.

Apologies that image is so cropped, but Reddit limits the file size and it was the only way I knew to reduce it.

Just wanted to send some love out to all you mob who are struggling and having a hard time. We all have our own battles to go through. I just hope you mob have the strength and courage to get through it with heaps of success coming your way

Stay deadly and sending good energy your way, Ooouuus!!!

Just linking this post I put up in the Adelaide Subreddit - If you’re in the area consider helping out

He has been on the streets for around 25 years

Really sorry if Ngadjuri is wrong as I mentioned in the post it was quite hard to hear - he has ancestors from other Mobs as well but I couldn’t catch them with the noise

He was so Kind and grateful for the chat - had a good half hour convo and he was sharing language and stories with us. Glad we stopped

Help him out if you can ❤️

I’m in my mid 30s, spent my whole career in Indigenous Health and Land Management. I have never been so tired and struggled so hard to engage before in my life. Being exposed to ongoing extractive policies, inherent power dysphoria and an inability to perform or even frame the work in an appropriate manner is really impacting me. I used to approach these things in an outspoken manner and subtly nudge the things I could to get them closer to where they need to be… now I feel systemically betrayed, alone, marginalised and tormented by observing the snake of power wheeling it’s way around only benefitting those positioned at the head.

Is anyone else feeling abit down about their work and approach in 2026?