Aboriginal Healing,
Sharing Culture |
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Her first year of school, aged five, was a real culture shock for Marion, as she had never really interacted with non-Aboriginal people. She entered a very foreign white world and struggled, particularly with not being allowed to use her native Noongar language.
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Sharing CultureThese film clips were produced by filmmaker Michael Liu and Professor David Clark, as part of a Sharing Culture project with Professor Marion Kickett. Filming took place in Marion's home town of York in 2013.
Please use our website freely to learn more about factors that influence the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people. We acknowledge financial support from the Teaching and Learning Centre at Curtin University. |
Your reflectionsThese three film clips have been developed so that you can reflect upon and discuss key issues affecting Aboriginal health and wellbeing. In relation to these three film clips, you might like to reflect on:
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Her first year of school, aged five, was a real culture shock for Marion, as she had never really interacted with non-Aboriginal people. She entered a very foreign white world and struggled, particularly with not being allowed to use her native Noongar language. Marion had problems with her ears and couldn't hear properly, resulting in her having to repeat Year 1 for being "a bit slow". She basically hated school but her mother insisted she attend very day.
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Marion experienced racism at school and found this hard. In her first year, she was not allowed to enter a shop because 'No dogs... or natives' were allowed. As a result of the racism at school, Marion became a fighter. When she stopped doing this and said, "Yes, I'm black. I'm very proud of it too", the white children didn't know how to respond. However, some of her relatives turned against her. She was now not accepted by either white society or Aboriginal society.
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Some Aboriginal people have told Marion that she thinks she is white or wants to be white. They have questioned whether she had been fostered by white people. Her family have often had to say that she was a Reserve kid. Marion points out that some Aboriginal people are jealous. They have become internally oppressed and need to put down others. Some have become victims and pity themselves. Her father always told her that being a victim is a weakness.
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