Aboriginal people and caring within a colonised society

Colonisation has greatly disrupted many aspects of, and roles within, Aboriginal communities, one of them being caring. This chapter explores the meaning of caring within Aboriginal communities prior to colonisation through the use of two fundamental concepts that underpin the life of the Wiradyuri people of western New South Wales, Australia. The concepts Yindyamarra and Ngurambang Wirimbirragu outline the importance of having a holistic understanding and practice of caring, which incorporates all elements of the environment, including people. Colonisation has impacted greatly upon the ability of people to live by Yindyamarra and Ngurambang. However, through the restoration of language and culture is the restoration of Yindyamarra and Ngurambang. This chapter concludes with a discussion about how the social work profession, through its values and principles, is not only ideally placed to work with Aboriginal people but also has a responsibility to ensure that social work practice is embedded within Yindyamarra and Ngurambang.