Indigenous Australia for Dummies

Learn more about the rich cultures of Australia's first peoples

What's the Dreamtime? What's a corroboree for? Who were the Stolen Generations? Indigenous Australia For Dummies answers these questions and more, exploring life before Captain Cook, the impact of European settlement and contemporary Indigenous cultures. Discover the history, traditions, struggles and triumphs of the diverse peoples that make up Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• Experience 60,000 years of culture -- appreciate the variety and complexity of Indigenous communities across mainland Australia and the Torres Strait Islands

• Get the facts on Indigenous Australians since Europeans arrived -- read about what happened when the British colony was established at Sydney Cove

• Explore significant political moments in Indigenous history -- learn about the 1967 Referendum, PM Paul Keating's Redfern speech, the Mabo verdict, PM Kevin Rudd's apology and other events

• See how Indigenous peoples took charge of their political future -- examine the land rights debate and the era of reconciliation

• Learn about celebrated Indigenous artists -- recognise famous Indigenous people in art, music, dance, literature and theatre

• Understand the importance of sport to Indigenous Australians -- read about traditional sports making a comeback, and about famous Indigenous sportspeople

• Identify the issues facing Indigenous Australians today -- uncover current issues in Indigenous health and housing, employment and education, land rights and self-determination

Open the book and find:

• Traditional values and ways of life in Indigenous communities

• Profiles of famous Indigenous people in a variety of fields

• Important Indigenous cultural sites across Australia

• Ten key legal decisions in Australian history

• The truth behind myths and stereotypes of Indigenous Australians

• Details about ongoing struggles to access equal opportunities and secure human rights

Learn to:

• Understand the impact of Britishcolonisation on Indigenous peoples

• Appreciate important milestones in Indigenous rights

• Admire the work of Indigenous artists, activists and sportspeople

• Grasp the issues facing modern Indigenous communities