The importance of Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
For many First Nations people in Australia, land is much more than soil, rocks or minerals; it’s a living environment that sustains and is sustained by peoples and cultural practices (Australian Museum 2020). Though there are clear lore, customs and geographical boundaries that define the lands of First Nations Peoples, Country isn’t owned in the traditional Western sense. Individuals aren’t seen as separate or 'above' the natural ecosystem, instead they’re an integral part of it and have a responsibility to maintain and care for all aspects of Country (AIATSIS 2020; Deslandes et al. 2019). Before colonisation, the reciprocal relationship between people and Country was deeply interwoven with almost all aspects of life for First Nations Peoples: spirituality, culture, language, family, lore and identity. Today, despite the negative impacts of colonisation, this relationship remains fundamental to the way of life and identity of many First Nations people, providing a deep sense of purpose and belonging (AIATSIS 2020; Common Ground 2015). This relationship is often referred to as 'connection to Country'.
--Australian's Together Curriculum Resources