The construction of Aboriginal identity in people separated from their families, community, and culture: Pieces of a jigsaw

Aboriginal history since colonisation has been largely shaped by government policies. The most striking and destructive historical policies directed at Aboriginal people concerned those that advocated the removal of Aboriginal children from their parents and their placement in white foster homes or institutions. This paper reports on interviews with seven Indigenous participants who had been […]

Racism and prejudice: An Australian psychological society position paper

In view of the rise of racist rhetoric in Australian public life in recent years, this paper reviews psychological research on racism and prejudice as they are expressed at every level of society from government policy to the intrapersonal sphere. It draws on evidence arising from social, developmental, clinical, and community psychology. The mental health […]

Towards guidelines for survey research in remote Aboriginal communities

Based on our experience in developing and evaluating community-based health promotion programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, we offer guidelines to assist nonindigenous health and public policy professionals whose information gathering in these communities includes the use of unstructured interviewing or survey questionnaires. The guidelines primarily apply to research among mainland remote Aboriginal […]

The psychological impact of white settlement on Aboriginal people

The experiences of dispossession, the incidents of colonialism, racism, exclusion, extermination, denigration and degradation have a direct impact on the mental and physical health of the Aboriginal people. Hence, to achieve a balanced state of health amongst Aboriginal communities, they must join the political campaigns to ensure that the continuing practices of colonialism are identified […]

Footprints in time: the longitudinal study of Indigenous children

This website provides information on the Footprints in Time study and links to its publications. Footprints in Time is the name given to the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC), an initiative of the Australian Government. Footprints in Time is conducted by the Department of Social Services (DSS) under the guidance of the Footprints in […]