Indigenous Australians and the Environment
Indigenous Australians use of plants and animals
Indigenous Australians Use of Plants and Animals
- Indigenous Australians and the environment | Britannica Kids
The land and waters of Australia are of great importance to the culture, beliefs, identity, and way of life for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This connection to the environment comes from their belief that the land and people were created by ancestor (spirit) beings who continue to protect and care for the land. - Food and Agriculture (Deadly Story)Before colonisation, Aboriginal people were not simply hunters and gatherers as we are taught in school. We had a deep knowledge of the land and knew how to harvest our food sustainably.
Bush Medicine
Bush Medicine
- Bush medicine: Indigenous remedies for common ailments (Australian Geographic)
Native plants have been used by First Nations people for generations. Here are some regional examples.
Bush tucker
Bush Tucker
- Guide to Australian bush tucker: 10 ingredients used in traditional Aboriginal foodThe Aboriginal Australians were the ultimate foragers. From rainforest to desert, they made use of the land and harvested much of their food from their surroundings. From witchetty grubs to Jurassic-era pine cones filled with 100 “nuts”, discover 10 foods that made it onto the traditional Aussie bush tucker menu.
Culturally Significant Animals
Culturally Significant Animals
- Culturally Significant AnimalsNo matter where you are in Australia, you are never too far away from wildlife with deep significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Here are five culturally significant animals you might be able to discover in your backyard using WWF-Australia’s and how you can help them thrive again.
The Many Uses of Australian Plants
Indigenous Australians Use of Plants
- The Many Uses of Indigenous Plants (Gardening Australia)Discover the cultural significance and of some native plants to the local Indigenous peoples of the Botany Bay region.
Drew Roberts from Shared Knowledge teaches us about how the traditional use that Aboriginal people have for native plants. Drew Roberts, is an Arakwal, Bundjalung man from the Northern Rivers who transfers knowledge to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island mothers at Gunawirra. Learn about plants grown in the Gunawirra Native Garden including pigface, lomandra and golden wattle.
- Aboriginal Plant Use and TechnologyThe application of knowledge to create technologies is an integral part of the heritage and future of
Australia. It is also essential to sustainable development. In traditional Aboriginal societies science and technology were used to manage the environment for the benefit of all people.
For thousands of years, First Nations peoples across Australia have been growing and cultivating plants. Plants are grown for many different purposes, including food, tools, medicine, shelter, clothing, hunting, carrying, water craft, ceremony and land management. Everything they needed to survive is provided by the bush. The roots and tubers of Yam Daisy, Bulbing Lily and Chocolate Lily are harvested for teaching and eating. Kangaroo Apple, which has a sweet flavour is used for eating and medicinal purposes. Hardenbergia River Mint, and Lemon-scented Gums are used to make teas and herbs.
- 10 Fun Facts about Australian Native PlantsDid you know that Aussie native plants are unique? 80% of the flora and fauna of Australia live nowhere else on Earth.
Check out some more fun (and surprising) facts about native Australian plants