Family and kinship are of central importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. From the intimate relations of immediate family, to the broader connections between communities, and the macro associations between the distinct Indigenous nations across Australia. Elders hold a high place in Indigenous society as witnesses to history and custodians of sacred and essential knowledge. Much of the Indigenous peoples’ knowledge is preserved in language through the telling, listening, and re-telling of stories across generations. In this way, through respectful listening to Elders, knowledge of culture, spirituality, law and Country are passed on to new generations. Because ancestral knowledge is transferred through interpersonal contact, the maintenance of familial relationships is essential.
Art is also an important conduit for Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. For tens of thousands of years up to the present-day, Indigenous people have been able to learn from their ancestors through the art that they left behind. This can take the form of imagery, such as rock paintings, or objects, such as carved shields. Because these artforms are incredibly durable, it means that new generations are able to learn directly from their ancestors who lived in much earlier times. They are also able to produce their own artworks to pass on knowledge to younger generations in turn.
