Identity

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The text for this topic is copyright Parenting SA, Government of South Australia.

"Hullo, sister."

"Who's your mob?"

"My mob come from up North there!"

"Unna ... they my people too."

"Hey, you my relation then!"

Who's your mob?" ... Heard this before?

How many times have you been asked "Where do you come from?" 

This does not mean where you have just come from or how you got here, but meaning ... "Where do you belong?"

By knowing the answers we know where we belong. It is our security, it is our identity!

Our identity brings unity, it is our family ties. It is knowing about how we all fit together.

We need to know who we are, where we've come from, where we are now and where we’re going.

And we need to feel good about it and good about ourselves.

We want our kids to know our ways, to understand, and to practice them.

Our kids learn at an early age by watching, listening and practising, and by close contact with others.

Our identity as Aboriginal people keeps growing throughout all our family life.

Tell our kids to be proud that they are Aboriginal and why we as parents are proud!

These things might help

• Encourage your kids to know who they are.
• Share with them the stories told long ago and talk the talk of long ago.
• Get strength and hope from believing in yourself.
• Get strength from knowing and trusting your belief.
• Give your kids the knowledge that they are a part of, and that they belong to, an old and very proud race of people.
• Never forget where you come from.

These places might be able to help you

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services 6205 4798
• Barnardos Parenting and Outreach Program  6241 5466
• Child & Family Centres -
  Tuggeranong 6207 8228
• Gungahlin 6207 1020
• Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation 6231 9555
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Parentline  6287 3833
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service 6284 6220

ACT Govt Publication No 08/0618 May 2008 (Revised 0806)