Revealing Aboriginal Identity with the Help of Indigenous Literature

Abstract

I would like to represent through the Australian Aboriginal culture how the issue of identity surfaces in case of a nation which is truly touched by identity problems. They had had a firm identity, until Australia was occupied by the British Empire in 1788 with the leadership of Governor Phillip. The colonizers brought a completely new era in Aboriginal Identity formation. Indigenous people got to a dilemma whether they should adjust to the oppressor culture and lose their identity or preserve their identity and start a never ending battle? They accepted the challenge and started a long lasting struggle to maintain their identity in the face of assimilation.