Diversity and identity

Sydney dancers

Diversity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts relates to the very many Language Groups and to the diversity within those groups.

Just as there is no country in the world where geographical formations are exactly the same, there is no one cultural group in the world where everyone is the same. There is always diversity within a population, and the ability to respect, recognise and value this diversity is fundamental to achieving balance.

People may hold a stereotypical picture of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; something they have been told while growing up, from illustrations in books and from the media.

However, each individual is unique. Differences between people can refer to Country/Place, language, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, level of education and so on. Underneath the individual differences though, lies identity as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and the heritage we all share.

Embracing and celebrating each other’s diversity as individuals does not take away from our identity as Indigenous people.