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Understanding Aboriginal Identity

If you wish to claim Aboriginal identity, bureaucratic and public services require official documentation and proof of heritage. This requirement created a need to define who qualifies as an Aboriginal, as well as what qualifications must be met before such documentation can be obtained.

Displacement, aboriginal history and the complexities of discovering family origins complicate this process. However, Commonwealth departments do agree on certain qualifications to determine who is Aboriginal.

Pre-Colonialism Identity

Before Europeans came to New Zealand, Aboriginal people would identify themselves by the regional nation where they originated, such as Eora in the Southeast or Gundungurra in the New South Wales area. It was possible for a person to identify with multiple nations if their parents or grandparents heralded from different tribes, or if they moved to a different geographic area in their lifetime.

Blood-Quotum Classification

Colonialism brought dispossession, and comingling between different clans occurred as a result. This complicated the case of Aboriginal identity. At first, “blood-quotum” classifications were adopted by government institutions, which looked at the percentage of Aboriginal blood in an individual’s ancestral background.

The problem with this type of classification is that it was one-dimensional and often came to perceptions of race based on skin colour. Cases arose where light-skinned individuals with Aboriginal descent were rejected from some programs for not being Aboriginal, but accepted by others.

The “Three-Part” Definition

In 1981, a definition for Aboriginal identity was proposed by the Constitutional Section of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs’ in the ‘”Report on a Review of the Administration of the Working Definition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.” This definition is split into three different qualifications:

  • An individual must prove Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
  • Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
  • Be accepted as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander by the specific community to which you claim heritage.

This tri-fold definition was adopted by departments of the Federal Government and the Federal Court for official purposes. On a less official level, this three-part definition acknowledges that identity is developed over time and is not limited to one single factor.

Beyond Official Definitions – Cultural Identity

There are many who are not satisfied by the three-part definition of Aboriginal identity. In the end, this definition still involves white, state-based institutions defining what it means to be “Aboriginal.” In many cases, identity is subjective and linked to culture down through family, involving experiences which can have little tangible evidence.

Stories concerning our genealogy and connections are passed down through kin, and the cultural values and beliefs connected with Aboriginal identity can be passed down this way as well. Different values and practices that are transferred from kin to youth can influence an individual’s cultural identity as they grow up. This means there is much more to Aboriginal identity than can be proven in an official government document.

While the three-part definition does address kinship and familial connections, it’s important to acknowledge that identity forms around culture and much of identity and culture are subjective.

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  • Home
  • DNA Tests
    • Paternity Tests
      • Home Paternity Test
      • Legal Paternity Test
      • Prenatal Paternity Test
      • Immigration DNA Test
      • Discreet Test
    • Relationship Tests
      • Siblings DNA Test
      • Aunt & Uncle Test
      • Grandparentage Test
      • Twins DNA Test
      • Y Chromosome Test
      • Maternity Test
    • Prenatal Tests
      • Prenatal Paternity Test
      • ‘Prenatal Peace’ – Non-Invasive Prenatal Genetic Screening Test
      • Baby Gender Testing
    • Ancestry Tests
      • Ancestral Origins Test
    • Drug Tests
      • Hair Drug Testing
    • Clinical Tests
      • Inherited Diseases Panel
      • Newborn Genetic Test with NOVA™
      • Pharmacogenomics PGx
    • Oncology Tests
      • Inherited Cancer Panel
      • Targeted Sequencing Panel 19- TSP19™
      • Targeted Sequencing Panel 22 – TSP22™
      • Targeted Sequencing Panel 50 – TSP50™
      • BRCA1 & BRCA2 Genetic Screening
      • Tumour Mutational Burden
      • Sarcoma Panel
      • Circulating Cell-free tumour DNA (cfDNA)
      • Oncomine Comprehensive Targeted Sequencing of DNA and RNA in Cancer
      • Whole Exome Sequencing in Cancer
    • Health & Wellbeing Tests
      • NutriFit
      • Nutri Plan
      • NutriFit Premium (NutriSport)
      • Lactose Intolerance DNA Test
      • Celiac Disease Genetic Testing
      • Genetic Predisposition Test
    • Animal Tests
      • Dog Allergy Test
    • Other Tests
      • Infidelity DNA Testing
      • Semen Detection Testing
      • DNA Profiles
  • About Us
    • Accreditation
    • DNA Testing Laboratory
    • Job Opportunities
    • Media & Press
      • Company News
    • Award in Customer Service
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  • Testimonials
  • Blog
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    • Kits in Different Locations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
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    • Collecting Samples
    • Create Your Own DNA Kit
    • Understanding Results
    • Multimedia
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  • Contact Us
    • Worldwide Offices
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We are monitoring the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closely and are complying with the Government’s guidance for the workplace.

Our offices are still open, and we are processing samples and fulfilling orders. To keep you safe we are washing and sanitising our hands before packing orders and they are then placed in our daily mailing services. Unfortunately we cannot allow drop-ins at our office until further notice and all sample collection appointments have been postponed.

The laboratories are still open, are adhering to local guidelines and are processing samples as usual. If delays due to social distancing measures are likely to affect your results due date, then we will inform you immediately.

We are experiencing some delays with all postal and courier deliveries. If you have posted samples back to us but have not received notification that they have been received please track them and check your junk or spam folder before contacting us to request an update.

Please quote your case reference number when contacting us to enable us to respond more quickly.

All results are still being issued on time and you will be contacted if we anticipate any delay with your case.