GAL613 Grief and Loss Essay Sample
Assessment Task
Produce a 1600 word essay in which you discuss the grief of the Australian Indigenous people in the context of their grief for the land they have lost when Europeans occupied this continent.
Context
The invasion of the Australian continent by Europeans who believe that land can be owned and exploited has led to dramatic changes for the original owners of this land. Their grief for the loss of the land has become part of their culture and ongoing struggles with mental and physical health. This assessment addresses three key aspects of this grief.
Task Instructions
To complete this assessment task you must address the following three elements:
• Identify the key aspects of the loss such as the loss of the right to live on their ancestral land, the loss of language, and so forth. Explain how the loss of loved ones may relate to these background scenarios.
• Describe the ways in which these losses are expressed in modern-day Australia (typical grieving practices) and how they impact the mental and physical health of the Australian Indigenous people (Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders)
• Critically evaluate how non-Indigenous people typically respond to these losses and what kind of grief and loss work is done that involves non-Indigenous people.
Essay Structure
Here’s a guideline on how you could structure your essay:
• Introduction and context (150 words)
o Define how you understand this task and explain how you will address it here.
• Body (approximately 1200 words)
o Address the three bullet points shown above.
Conclusion (250 words)
o Conclude your essay by explaining what you have learned from doing this assignment and what you would want to do to support grieving Indigenous people.
You will be assessed on your ability to create a coherent narrative on the tasks outline above. Make sure that you use direct quotations sparingly and reference according to the rules. There will be no opportunity to resubmit, and assessments that show more than minor referencing issues will attract a Fail, not an Academic Inquiry. It is therefore highly recommended that you generate a SafeAssign report and respond to your referencing errors before you submit the document.
Solutions
Introduction
The grief of the Australian Indigenous people is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been deeply ingrained into their culture since the colonisation of their land by Europeans. The grief has manifested itself in a variety of ways, such as the loss of their right to live on their ancestral land, the loss of language and culture, and the loss of loved ones. This essay will explore the key aspects of the loss suffered by the Indigenous people of Australia and how they are expressed in modern-day Australia. Universty Assignment Help, Furthermore, this essay will discuss how the loss of loved ones may relate to the given background scenarios, and how this grief impacts the physical and mental health of the Australian Indigenous people. Finally, this essay will critically evaluate how non-Indigenous people typically respond to these losses and what kind of grief and loss work is done that involves non-Indigenous people.
Key Aspects of Loss
The loss of the Indigenous people’s right to live on their ancestral land is one of the most profound losses suffered by Australian Indigenous people. According to Rege (2009), when the British first invaded Australia in 1788, they declared the land ‘terra nullius’, meaning ‘no-one's land’. As a result, the Indigenous people's land rights were taken away and they were not acknowledged as the land's true proprietors. The Indigenous people have suffered greatly as a result of the loss of their land rights since they are no longer able to practise their traditional and cultural ways or obtain the resources necessary for their survival and well-being.
Furthermore, the loss of land has also been linked to the loss of language and culture. The inability to access ancestral land and engage in cultural practices has led to a gradual decline in the use of traditional languages and the erosion of cultural knowledge. The loss of language is also an important aspect of Indigenous grief. Language is not just a means of communication, but also a way of understanding and expressing cultural identity, history, and spiritual beliefs.
Many Indigenous people experienced a loss in the transmission of their language and culture as a result of the forced abduction of Indigenous children from their families, known as the "Stolen Generations." Indigenous peoples have lost their cultural identity, knowledge, and tradition as a result of the conquerors' suppression of their languages and civilizations. The community as a whole, as well as Indigenous people, are affected by this loss (Fast & Collin-Vezina, 2019).
The loss of loved ones is another key aspect of the grief of the Australian Indigenous people. The trauma of dispossession and assimilation has had a profound effect on the Indigenous people, leading to the breakdown of family and community networks. The high rates of Indigenous incarceration, suicide, and premature death have resulted in the loss of family members, community leaders, and cultural knowledge holders.
The trauma of these losses is often intergenerational, as the effects of forced removal, land loss, and other forms of violence continue to impact Indigenous families and communities This has resulted in the loss of family and community members, who were the backbone of the Indigenous communities and provided the necessary support for their survival. The death of loved ones has had a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the Indigenous people, as the loss of these relationships has caused a deep sense of grief and sadness (Fast & Collin-Vezina, 2019).
Modern Day Expression
The losses experienced by Indigenous Australians as a result of the European invasion have had a profound and lasting impact on their mental and physical health. This is expressed in many ways:
Traditional healing practices are an important way for Indigenous Australians to grieve and heal. These practices, such as the smoking ceremony, are used to mark significant events, including loss and grief. During a smoking ceremony, individuals are “smoked” with burning herbs to cleanse, purify, and protect them from negative energies (Altena et al., 2011).
Cultural ceremonies are another important way for Indigenous Australians to grieve and heal. These ceremonies often involve the use of music, dance, and storytelling to express emotion and remember the deceased. For example, a “sorry business” ceremony is used to help individuals come to terms with the grief of losing a loved one (healthbulletin., n.d.).
Indigenous Australians use contemporary protest and action as a means of expressing their sorrow and protesting the ongoing erasure of their culture and homeland. This includes protests such as the “Invasion Day” rallies, which are held annually on January 26th to commemorate the loss of Indigenous land and culture (Selvanathan et al., 2022). These events provide an important opportunity for Indigenous Australians to express their grief.
Impact on Mental and Physical Health
The impact of the losses experienced by the Australian Indigenous people on their mental and physical health is significant. One of the most common effects of grief is depression, which can be exacerbated by the ongoing trauma of dispossession and its continued presence in contemporary Indigenous communities. There are significant levels of sadness, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the trauma of eviction and assimilation (PTSD).The loss of culture and language can contribute to feelings of isolation and exclusion, further eroding mental wellbeing. This can be compounded by the loss of family and community members which can lead to a sense of disconnection, confusion, and anger (Sherwood, 2013)
The physical health impacts of grief can be just as devastating. The loss of cultural practices and traditional knowledge can lead to a lack of access to culturally appropriate healthcare services, which is linked to a wide range of physical health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. This, combined with the loss of access to traditional food sources, can lead to increased levels of malnutrition and poverty. Additionally, the ongoing trauma of dispossession, exclusion, and discrimination can lead to higher levels of stress, which can in turn lead to a range of physical health issues (Sherwood, 2013).
Non-Indigenous Responses
The loss of land and culture has been a traumatic experience for Indigenous Australians, as they have been dispossessed of their rights and cultural heritage in a process that has been ongoing since the arrival of Europeans. Non-Indigenous Australians have had a significant role in this process of dispossession, yet their responses to the grief of Indigenous Australians have often been inadequate or misguided.
Non-Indigenous Australians are often ill-equipped to understand the depth of loss and grief experienced by Indigenous Australians, as they do not have a shared cultural context to understand the significance of the dispossession of land and culture. This has often resulted in a lack of meaningful and respectful responses to the grief of Indigenous Australians. Non-Indigenous Australians often fail to recognise the complex and multi-faceted nature of the grief experienced by Indigenous Australians, which is related to the loss of land, language, culture, family, and identity (Katie Myer et al., 2021).
Many non-Indigenous Australians are also unaware of the history of dispossession of Indigenous Australians, and the ongoing effects of this dispossession. This means that their responses to the grief of Indigenous Australians are often based on their own cultural context, rather than on an understanding of the experience of dispossession from the perspective of Indigenous Australians. As a result, non-Indigenous Australians often fail to provide meaningful and appropriate support to Indigenous Australians who are grieving.
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive examples of non-Indigenous Australians engaging in grief and loss work that involves Indigenous Australians. For example, some non-Indigenous Australians have worked to educate themselves about the history of dispossession and its ongoing effects, as well as engaging in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous Australians about their experiences of grief. Other non-Indigenous Australians have engaged in activities such as volunteering in Indigenous communities, or providing financial or practical support to Indigenous organisations (Katie Myer et al., 2021).
Overall, non-Indigenous Australians have a responsibility to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue with Indigenous Australians about their experiences of grief and loss. Non-Indigenous Australians should strive to educate themselves about the history of dispossession, its ongoing effects, and the ways in which Indigenous Australians express and experience grief. In addition, non-Indigenous Australians must be willing to provide practical and financial support to Indigenous organisations, and to engage in activities that promote understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. By doing so, non-Indigenous Australians can provide meaningful support to Indigenous Australians who are grieving the loss of land and culture.
Conclusion
This essay has explored the key aspects of the grief of the Australian Indigenous people, and how it has been expressed in modern-day Australia such as the loss of the right to live on their ancestral land, the loss of language, and the loss of loved ones and how this grief impacts the physical and mental health of the Indigenous people. Finally, it has critically evaluated how non-Indigenous people typically respond to these losses and what kind of grief and loss work is done that involves non-Indigenous people. In conclusion, it is clear that the grief of the Australian Indigenous people is multifaceted and complex, and that it requires a compassionate and understanding response from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike. By engaging in meaningful dialogue and working together toward healing and reconciliation, we can help to ease the burden of grief and loss experienced by the Indigenous people of Australia.
This assessment has provided an insight into the grief of the Australian Indigenous people and has highlighted the need for more effective support for grieving Indigenous people. It has also shown the importance of educating non-Indigenous people about the impacts of the European invasion and dispossession of the land on the Indigenous people, in order to encourage greater understanding and respect for the Indigenous people’s grief and loss. By providing more education, understanding, and support for grieving Indigenous people, it is possible to create a more inclusive and respectful society where Indigenous people are heard and respected.
References
Sherwood, J. (2013). Colonisation–It’s bad for your health: The context of Aboriginal health. Contemporary nurse, 46(1), 28-40. https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/Colonisation%20It%E2%80%99s%20bad%20for%20your%20health%20The%20context%20of%20Aboriginal%20health.pdf
Fast, E., & Collin-Vezina, D. (2019). Historical trauma, race-based trauma, and resilience of indigenous peoples: A literature review. First Peoples Child & Family Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Honouring the Voices, Perspectives, and Knowledges of First Peoples through Research, Critical Analyses, Stories, Standpoints and Media Reviews, 14(1), 166-181.
Altena, M., Notermans, C., & Widlok, T. (2011). Place, action, and community in internet rituals. Ritual, media, and conflict, 133-64. https://www.academia.edu/download/56946091/Ritual-Media-and-Conflict.pdf#page=150
Selvanathan, H. P., Jetten, J., & Crimston, C. R. (2022). Australia Day or Invasion Day? Perspectives on the Continuing Impact of Colonialism Underlies Public Contestations Around Australia's National Day. Political Psychology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/pops.12818
Katie Myer and Kaitlin GrableKatie Myer (she/her), Grable, K. M. and K., Grable, K., & Fragua, J. (2021, October 11). Honor with action: 10 ways to be an ally to indigenous peoples. Greenpeace USA. Retrieved January 13, 2023, from https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/10-ways-to-be-ally-indigenous-peoples/
Vol 16 no 3, July – September 2016 - healthbulletin. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://healthbulletin.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/bulletin_original_articles_grief_and_loss.pdf
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