Understanding Indigenous Wellbeing: Demographic and Socioeconomic Change

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines wellbeing as a 'state of health or sufficiency in all aspects of life.' While a person's socioeconomic status (income, employment and education) is likely to be a component of their wellbeing, a person's interaction with the natural, man-made and social environment as well as their physical, mental and emotional health are also vital components. Because of unique cultural and historical factors, Indigenous notions of wellbeing can be somewhat different to those of the rest of the Australian population. Language and cultural maintenance in the face of pressures from the dominant culture are important aspects of wellbeing for many Indigenous Australians. Kinship obligations and attachment to country also tend to be much stronger. Ultimately, an Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian with given levels of material and socioeconomic status may report quite different levels of wellbeing. The aim of this course is to summarise and discuss the existing research on the economic, social and political determinants of Indigenous wellbeing, as well as the demographic context of the population. Students will be exposed to a range of theoretical frameworks within the social sciences that touch on or have insight for Indigenous wellbeing and Indigenous population change. Students will also be guided through a critical discussion of the quantitative and qualitative evidence that has formed our current understanding of wellbeing and the Indigenous population. Finally, students will discuss and evaluate the current policy framework for Indigenous affairs in Australia.