European invasion has been devastating for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The low social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is linked to colonization and its continued impact on our people’s lives.

Some people say that a modern example of the Government still being entrenched in Aboriginal peoples lives is the Northern Territory (NT) intervention. While some welcome the emergency response in communities others feel it is just another way for the Government to control the lives of people, their communities and their land.

Before colonisation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities used the knowledge of the land to provide medicines and food.

Aboriginal hunting and gathering ways of life and Torres Strait fishing and food cultivation traditions meant that people had a balanced diet and plenty of exercise.

Our traditional foods were very low in sugar, fat and salt and our way of life meant that we were very fit and healthy.

The result of colonization has changed Indigenous peoples’ daily activities, diet and way of life.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have different customs, beliefs, traditional knowledge and lore.

Also, there are differences between various Aboriginal communities and Torres Strait Islander communities. Some cultural traditions that Indigenous peoples across Australia have in common include:

Colonisation affected all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and was responsible for social and cultural breakdown. Families and communities were separated; people were unable to hunt and gather food; ceremonies were prohibited; people were not able to speak their language(s) and were removed from their land.

In Primary health care it is important to understand that the past still impacts on our people’s health today.