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Table 2 Examples of how focus group feedback was incorporated into the Mayi Kuwayu questionnaire

From: Developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural indicators: an overview from Mayi Kuwayu, the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing

Cultural Domain

Extracts from Focus Groups

Cultural Item/s

Connection to Country

“When we go up on Country, it’s about taking the kids through the landscape, talking to them about special significant sites and what happened and showing them the fish traps and ground ovens and all those sorts of things. So sharing that understanding is not just having a connection to your land but actually understanding their lands is really important.”

“Part of our role is taking people out to Country, showing them Country, just to get away from the community life and away from town as well… It does get some positive energy and builds their strength when they go out on traditional land and stuff like that. And drinking water from their waterholes and bush tucker from out bush, and all that. That’s what builds people’s strength up.”

Q25. How much time do you spend…

-On Country?

-Getting or eating bush tucker (includes traditional foods and fishing)?

-Passing on cultural knowledge?

Language

“Language is our knowledge. Our power to express ourselves.”

“I just think language, when you speak it, it’s like… It’s like a song when you’re speaking it… that feeling you get when you hear people speaking it. I don’t know, can’t describe it but that’s one of the positives… that’s growing language and sharing.”

Q23. Tell us about your Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander words or language

-It is important that I use words or language

-I feel good when I use words or language

-I am learning words or language

-My community is interested in keeping language strong

Cultural expression and continuity

“Culture for me is respecting our elders. By means of that is that they are our first teachers. They’re our guidance. They’re our backbone of our family… help us connect back into Country. They teach us knowledge, history, storylines, songlines.”

“And it’s all about passing on that knowledge. Cultural knowledge… and taking care of passing on that information.”

“We’re trying to get the younger ones to recognise which plants are medicine, which are the drinking ones, which are the rubbing ones, which ones are antiseptic. ‘Cause they’re all different. And still trying to – and show them – bring it back, like, go out and collect it with the younger ones and the older ones, bring them back.”

Q25. How much time do you spend…

-With someone who has cultural knowledge (Elder or knowledge holder)?

-Learning culture, kinship, and respect?

-Passing on cultural knowledge?

-Receiving Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander healing methods (such as traditional healers, bush medicine)?

Q27. In the Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander community where I live now…

-There are people with cultural knowledge (cultural bosses or Elders) I can go to or yarn with