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Aboriginal heritage officers are involved in the identification, assessment and conservation of places and objects with cultural heritage significance to Aboriginal people.
What Is Aboriginal Culture And Heritage?
Aboriginal people share a close association with the Australian landscape, one that spans tens of thousands of years. Since then, the land has remained a source of physical and spiritual sustenance to Aboriginal cultures and their heritage.
The remains of physical evidence of Aboriginal occupation include artefacts, carvings and ceremonial places. These generally occur around places where shelter, food and water could be found.
The non-physical features of this culture include the teaching of environmental and ecological knowledge, songs, stories and art, which still play a part in maintaining individual and community cultural identity. These aspects of culture and heritage have been recognised as significant and warrant protection, hence the development of an Aboriginal heritage officer's role.
Link To Their Past
A well-known example of a non-physical feature that has remained a strong aspect of the Aboriginal culture is the Dreaming stories. These have helped teach Aboriginal people who they are and from where they came. In addition, rivers, billabongs and lakes have traditionally been sources of water and food. In the South West region of Western Australia, the Nyoongar identity and its cultural identity remain strong. There are scattered artefacts, evidence of old campsites, water sources and food gathering places here.
Aboriginal heritage officers may provide advice on the interpretation of such places and objects, such as the importance to teach others about the physical and spiritual significance of these objects and sites and to promote their preservation.
Aboriginal heritage officers also:
- Conduct Aboriginal heritage activities, programs and presentations for visitors. They may be required to provide advice on proposed projects or activities that may affect cultural heritage places.
- Implement Aboriginal heritage tourism, education and training plans and strategies.
- Develop and maintain discussions with appropriate community, government and industry groups, professional associations and educational institutions. Liaising with different age groups from numerous sections of the community about preserving sacred sites and objects forms the majority of these officers' work.
- Promotion and community relations.
- Develop conservation policy.
Aboriginal heritage officers need an understanding of the Native Title, Heritage, Wildlife and Conservation Acts and how these impact on the preservation of sacred sites and objects.
''We need an understanding of the legislation behind the Acts and to share what these mean to Aboriginal people with the wider community. Each plant and animal has its own story and each has its own impact on the Aboriginal people. We can look at the decline of certain animals and plants and how this impacts on the Aboriginal culture and, hopefully, educate others about not depleting these resources any further,' says Senior Heritage Officer Noel Nannup.
Aboriginal heritage officers will also have an understanding of Aboriginal views of the world and their history. They should have a strong interest in the value of objects, events, places and practices of the past and of their significance for the present and the future.
''The personal satisfaction I get from my work is amazing. As Aboriginal people, we have to understand the environment in every way because it impacts so much on our culture,'' says Noel.
In relation to human resources, the number of employers targeting people with accredited Indigenous cultural heritage knowledge is growing.
These officers may find work with the Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Indigenous Affairs and the Indigenous Land Corporation.
This is a small-sized occupation, however, the recognition of Native Title law, for example, has resulted in the need for an increasing number of sites in every region and district to be protected. This may result in a higher number of Aboriginal heritage officer positions becoming available.
For more information regarding salaries for this occupation, you can view the Australian Government Workplace Authority website listed below.
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