Name and Country |
In your opinion what is the most important thing Aboriginal people could learn from our Western society? |
| Anonymous from USA |
Not sure. Westerns are always trying to invent new things but have developed a fast past life that overlooks the little things. |
| Adam Perrett from Australia |
That we are sorry for what we did and have done to their culture and the most important step in rectifying our faults is to change peoples attitude towards our indigenous. |
| Al Hepworth from Finland |
How not live in a material society and be watchful of the break down in moral society |
| Anonymous |
Marketing skills |
| Alan from United Kingdom |
Not to fall into the trap and become western society keep their individuality as a nation |
| Alexander from USA |
Materialism can destroy people. |
| Allan Klausen from Denmark |
Health programs |
| Anonymous from USA |
The latest in technology |
| Andrew from USA |
I can't presume to know what would be knowledge to them - but I would say the destructiveness of Western society is evidence that the dominant society is not the healthiest. Stay small stay local. |
| Anonymous |
Marketing. If they could market their way of life "Sell" others on their way of doing things it would improve both of our cultures. |
| Audrey Wong from USA |
How to form political organizations to protect themselves. |
| Barney from USA |
Be weary of Greeks bearing gifts. |
| Barry Williams from USA |
Making Money |
| Anonymous from Netherlands |
Good question... |
| Anonymous from USA |
How to budge money |
| Bernard from USA |
Pride in ownership |
| Bill Lockett from USA |
Commerce |
| Bill White from USA |
That we are the perfect example of impermanence and we must constantly adapt to survive. |
| Brenda Rodriguez from USA |
How not to place capitalism and industrialization over spirituality |
| Brian from Canada |
Better ways to treat illness. |
| Brian Pflanz from USA |
Modern medicine? |
| Brooke from Australia |
Formal education. |
| Anonymous from USA |
How to apply within reason the benefits of Western society's health education and technological advances. |
| Anonymous |
Conservation techniques |
| Byron from USA |
We want to do the right thing but don't always know how. |
| Cam Maclean from Canada |
Evolution of culture and adaptation to change |
| Cameron from USA |
Medicine and other things to improve quality of life. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Kindness to one another |
| Anonymous from USA |
Probably something in the way of educational opportunities |
| Carol from USA |
Aboriginal people have gotten along just fine before Western society made a huge footprint on their land. What they can learn is to not become greedy aggressive and materialistic like Western society. |
| Anonymous from USA |
They can learn all they want to learn that is offered or avalible. |
| Charles Yount from USA |
Nothing |
| Cheryl from Australia |
To value Western education it is important that all koories receive a full education so that they can fight for their rights and take equal place on all levels of society |
| Anonymous |
Value of education for the children |
| Anonymous from USA |
The same as above. Art music religion and cooking. |
| Christopher from USA |
Not much from what I have herd they are doing quite well |
| Christopher from United Kingdom |
I'm not sure |
| Christopher from USA |
Economics |
| Cindy from USA |
That the world is rapidly changing and whether good or bad that change is inevitable and perhaps there is something that they can contribute to ease the suffering in the world. |
| Cliff from USA |
Nothing |
| Clint Beedy from USA |
How to respect women more. |
| Col from Australia |
I think that self determination should be provided. This will allow Aboriginal people to regain their independance and above all dignity. |
| Connie from USA |
Science |
| Craig Coussins from United Kingdom |
In order to protect what is left aboriginal people should take charge of their own lives and be more vociferous in protection of the environment. Extend reservations into National parks where visitors can come I a controlled manner to learn about Australian nature and Australian landscape. Open government funded centres of understanding and like any other environmental group become far more political but in a way that teaches and does not tell what it is that you need. Western politicians are very good at marketing. Learn from that as one example |
| Crystal from USA |
Probably what "not" to do! |
| Anonymous |
Hygiene. |
| Anonymous |
Different pieces of many cultures can mix into ours( this is not meant to sound offensive) (just trying to come up with a decent answer) |
| Dan Lombardo from USA |
The only thing anyone could learn from Western society is the capitalistic market. Understanding that their lifestyle is one of extreme variation as compared to ours and can be viewed as a commodity for tourism and artifacts. Many people are trying to return to those natural roots and stressing the genuine appeal of Aboriginal culture would help boost revenues and sustainability. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
How to capitalize on selling their unique items direct to the public through the internet. |
| Daniel Johnson from USA |
That bigger isn't better and a house of cards no matter how tall is destined to crumble. |
| Daniel Niles from United Arab Emirates |
How to use the internet so they can find whatever they need or want to learn individually or collectively. |
| Daniel from Germany |
The value of education |
| Dave from Australia |
Modernisation |
| Anonymous |
Fight for your rights get a education and do not ever stop moving forward |
| David from United Kingdom |
I don't think Western society can teach anything worthwhile to the Aboriginal people. Things like moral values/honesty/respect for others and the environment are the only things worth learning which means the Western society is a non starter. |
| David from United Kingdom |
Post-Enlightenment values of reason and scientific method |
| David from United Kingdom |
That they could use some of the land they hold to produce solar electricity on a large scale. even in the middle on no where they could use it to desalinate the ground waters of over drained areas while producing hydrogen for fuel in cars and other transport. Its the oil of the future with out the moral issues. |
| Anonymous from USA |
We have the ability to help them attain better health so we must find the part of each culture that allows the bridge of help |
| Anonymous |
Tough question. Survival in our modern world that has been forced on them. Help with problems brought on by this like addiction to alcohol etc. |
| Derek from Canada |
The most important thing aboriginal communities could learn from western societies is environmental law to combat big industry and unfortunately local and federal governments. |
| Des Holmes from United Kingdom |
How to deal with drug and alcohol related issue - western society isn't perfect but has had more experience than Aboriginal people |
| Anonymous |
Take what is good from Western Society and leave the rest (most) of it. |
| Anonymous from Kazakhstan |
Electronic music production tools. |
| Doug from USA |
Help in Truth |
| Douglas from USA |
Not quite sure |
| Dustin from USA |
People think we have it all right but I think they have nothing to learn from us it is all us learning from them. |
| Ed Huntley from USA |
Unsure |
| Ed Olson from USA |
How to protect what is valuable |
| Eddy from Australia |
Also listen to and try to understand various cultures and beliefs. |
| Eduardo from Ecuador |
Perhaps there is nothing to be learned. They live in harmony with nature and western society does not. |
| Eric from Canada |
Arts |
| Eric from USA |
Farming techniques |
| Eric Westman from USA |
That most of us who are awakened live in peace while those who are in the "dream of society" (The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Louise) need our help and understanding until they to awaken. |
| Erica from USA |
Western people are always moving forward. Aboriginal people could potentially embrace positive change. |
| Anonymous |
They could learn about it but I think they know how to live better than western society |
| Ewoud from Netherlands Antilles |
NOT live in the western hurry. Just do what you have to do. |
| Fred Ashplant from USA |
The importance of education. |
| Fred from Netherlands |
Respect your own culture keep it alive but do not forget to enjoy the developments of the world |
| Anonymous from Brazil |
I don't think they need to learn anything from us westerns |
| Galen Wood from USA |
Modernity |
| Gary Siegle from USA |
There are those like myself that seek to understand the richness and beauty of others through whatever appropriate means necessary; so as to teach us because we are (and should be) as children who want to learn from our ancestors. |
| Glen Bzdel from Canada |
Everyone is important no matter the color of your skin. Everyone has something to contribute |
| Gonzalo Gregori from China (pr) |
Advantages of new communication technologies |
| Graham Monteith from USA |
Modern technology. |
| Greg from USA |
Aboriginal people could learn and take away anything that may make their life easier from the Western society as long as it doesn't damage their own culture that would be a big plus. |
| Guido Cifali from Australia |
Not to imitate any of the bad traits of western society |
| Hans from Netherlands |
Is there a reverse....? don t think so. |
| Harry from USA |
Culture |
| Helen from Ireland |
Self and community empowerment recognising their own strengths and value in their own country and in the world - as a result of their suffering and all the injustices against them by western society. |
| Howard Williamson from USA |
That change is inevitable and adaptation is necessary - but to never give up the original values beliefs and practices. |
| Anonymous |
Educating their youth |
| Hugo from United Kingdom |
Diversity |
| Ian from Canada |
Other methods for communication health care and unfortunately how not to deal well with other cultures! |
| Isabelle from France |
Nothing |
| Israel from Spain |
They had been living thousands of years without our help or knowledge but in this "global society" they must learn how to use new technologies specially internet to make force against their "australian governments" and to promote and protect their rights as human beings older than us... |
| J from Australia |
What society mistakes not to make. |
| Anonymous |
How science can contribute to conservation and preservation efforts. |
| Anonymous |
Industrialization |
| James from USA |
That Western culture essentially treats everything as a commodity--ignore this at your own peril. |
| Anonymous |
Some simply ways to prevent illness/infection from spreading |
| James Miller from USA |
That evolution isn't always the best thing. |
| Jason from Canada |
How to send a text message. |
| Jeff from USA |
That through their own heritage they(aboriginal people) are richer than most people will ever be. |
| Jeff from USA |
Greed/nothing |
| Jenelle from USA |
Culture in return. |
| Anonymous |
Work mentality |
| Jeremy from USA |
I think the most important thing that could be learned form western society would be the dynamic mind frame that most westerners have. The way new technologies and ideas are embraced and rebuilt upon to serve there individual needs. The flexibility of the mind is powerful thing and if used wisely will lead any people to( or back) to greatness. |
| Anonymous |
The mixing of culture and socialization outside of ethnic bounds. |
| Jeshurun from USA |
I value diverse cultures and I hate to see a way of life change drastically into something identical to the norm. I think the most important thing they can learn are ways to sustain their knowledge and rich culture in a world that is networking more and more. |
| Anonymous |
Although their tradtions have not been around as long they still carry traditions in their culture |
| Joan from USA |
Kindness helping others and Christ. |
| Joe from USA |
We aren't all idiots. |
| Johan Pot from Netherlands |
That it's better to be very careful in trusting people from "the West". |
| Anonymous |
The aboriginal people could accept the merging of the didgeridoos sounds with the 21st century music |
| Anonymous |
Incorporating diversity into their culture |
| John from USA |
Their customs |
| Jorge Alberto from Mexico |
They could learn modern techniques of agriculture in combination with the different knowledge of centuries may be the western society is dangerous for them |
| Josh Snyder from USA |
Not much |
| Judith from USA |
Our music art history. |
| Julio Peña from Paraguay |
Techniques |
| Justin Castillo from USA |
Our country's slavery history |
| Karl from USA |
How to use computers |
| Katarina from Serbia |
Nothing they already know everything they need to know. |
| Kathleen Byham from USA |
That there are many of us who appreciate their work creativity and customs. Nowadays almost all cultures have become Westernized to a certain degree and I think some Western business practices and technology may have benefited the sales of native Aboriginal products. |
| Kevin D Babiuk from USA |
Nothing. If Society embraced Aboriginal/Native American or any earlier Earth Based Spiritual paths the world would be a better place. |
| Anonymous |
No opinion. |
| Kim from USA |
Our love for them |
| Kyle from USA |
Tolerance. And I don't mean because Western society exudes tolerance...but because tolerance is required to deal with Western society. Learn from the foibles of others. |
| Laura from USA |
Hmmmm-tough question. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
I'm not sure but I think western society has a lot to learn from Aboriginal people. |
| Levi from USA |
Perhaps some forms of modern medicine. |
| Anonymous |
Accepting people |
| Lourenco from Brazil |
I would not say learn! I would say that they can share and benefit from our medical knowledge. |
| Anonymous from Argentina |
Nothing to learn. |
| Luis from Portugal |
Unfortunately I don't know enough to give an informed opinion but I guess they are still very much attached with a tribal way of life and they should think more like a society and organize themselves to protect themselves |
| Manuel from China (pr) |
Hard to say... Perhaps using internet to spread their culture would be an important tool. |
| Marc from USA |
Read and study the history and economic systems of Western society. |
| Anonymous |
Not sure |
| Mario Bortoli from Italy |
Be careful about it! |
| Mark Galvin from USA |
Add science to their environmental connection. |
| Mark Leipfert from USA |
Utilizeing technology to improve quality of life. |
| Mark from USA |
Western industry |
| Mateus Zica from Brazil |
Science |
| Matias from Argentina |
Technology development. |
| Anonymous |
Healthcare education and conservation |
| Maximiliano from Argentina |
Nothing!! how to use facebook! hahaha |
| Michael from USA |
How to cope in a global society. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Nothing because they have done their own thing for thousands of years and survived. |
| Mike from Netherlands |
Try to understand the mind set of people from other cultures. |
| Mike from United Kingdom |
Not everyone is out to exploit them. |
| Mike from USA |
Very little |
| Mike from USA |
Learn from our mistakes |
| Nathaniel Curtis from USA |
Not sure. The varieties of song and story structure? |
| Neil from Australia |
How not to treat the environment. |
| Neil Gee from USA |
There are millions of rude crude and awful westerners out there but some aren't bad! |
| Nicholas Bottle from United Kingdom |
Nothing they are ok as they are. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Education in general |
| Omar L. De La Tejera from Mexico |
The interest of other cultures on theirs and the importance of it on "global civilization" (not globalized civilization) where civilization is: the respect of a world's citizen must have for the planet |
| Paleki Phaphapeuneua from Canada |
To share compassion for people that do not have an understanding of others cultures or belief systems. |
| Patricia from USA |
Technology |
| Patrick from USA |
How to preserve and protect their culture |
| Patrick from Australia |
Early education |
| Patrick from USA |
If aboriginal culture could keep the respect for life and nature which I think they would I believe the thing would be technology. western society is based on control an inflated importance on materialism but it does have the capacity to produce wonderful and efficient technology that helps improve the life's of everyone and leaves little to no detriment to the environment. |
| Pedro from Spain |
How to protect themselves and their land from western society. |
| Peter Kraan from South Africa |
Technology |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Nothing they are in many ways better than us (less damaging more respectful better communities) we need to stop being ethnocentric by saying how we can improve. |
| Petri from Finland |
Using of better tools |
| Piergiorgio Fiorucci from Italy |
What they risk to live...the double face coin |
| Anonymous from Australia |
Judge the quite majority not the negative minority. Most Western People love the heritage of the aboriginal culture. |
| Richard from USA |
Take what is spiritual and of value in Western culture. without sinking into materialism. |
| Richard from United Kingdom |
Modern ecology techniques for sustainable lifestyles. |
| Anonymous |
What not to do mother earth |
| Rob from USA |
Not sure-probably how to use science to support and protect traditional ways. |
| Anonymous |
Work ethic |
| Robbie Orth from USA |
They never needed our advise for thousand of years |
| Anonymous |
Possibly some medical information and not to trust or turn your back to Westerners or you might get robbed or stabbed. |
| Roberto Mojica from Puerto Rico |
Music knowledge |
| Rod from USA |
What not to do to nature |
| Anonymous from USA |
Technology |
| Rose from USA |
How not to live in harmony with nature. |
| Rual from USA |
Not mush |
| Ruben Dewulf from Belgium |
Learning a job in the society for those who live in it |
| Anonymous |
I think psychoanalysis is the most valuable tool for a modern aboriginal society to explain the modern ego and why it is in such a fallen state globally and that they don't need to fall into the Western paradigm. Other than that aboriginal roots are grounded in more truth than anything the West can offer. |
| Safaa from USA |
The importance of assimilating at least to the extent of being able to help their people with legal and political issues. |
| Sam from United Kingdom |
Not a lot |
| Sergio from Colombia |
Nothing really... |
| Shawn from USA |
Marketing |
| Stefan from USA |
Aspects of cities (although they don't really need to with the current population size) |
| Anonymous from Germany |
No idea |
| Steffen from Germany |
Nothing |
| Steve from USA |
What not to do |
| Stewart from USA |
I'm not that impressed with our "western" society I doubt the Aboriginal peoples need to learn greed corruption selfishness or materialism. Maybe the flow of ideas should be one way only. |
| Susan from USA |
Can't think of anything. |
| Anonymous |
Our culture. |
| Telfair Leimbach from USA |
Technology (which can be used to preserve cultural identity and meaning). |
| Tex from USA |
They may have already learned to limit participation with the "developed" world |
| Thomas from USA |
Not much |
| Thomas from Germany |
Education is the key for creating a better world |
| Anonymous from USA |
Using the inevitable encroachment of technology to spread their traditions/history with the rest of the world |
| Anonymous from Australia |
Tom maintain better health |
| Anonymous from USA |
How to survive the modern world |
| Timothy Gatehouse from Us Minor Outlying Islands |
Education in general. Schools likely to be fairly hard to reach considering. I think that anyone should have the opportunity to learn but it's always a choice. |
| Todd from Australia |
Economic independence |
| Anonymous |
Not sure |
| Anonymous |
..um never pay attention to western tuning:) |
| Tom from United Kingdom |
Having australian roots I know of the great deal of sadness and regret with regard to the "lost generation". This generation (as I understand it) has lost a lot of their cultural identity and struggle to fit in with western and aboriginal cultures. This particular generation could hopefully learn that the western culture that produced this scenario has on the whole changed their perspective. Furthermore this perceived change in attitude will help a more healthy integration been the aboriginal people and the western society. To sum up; there is a great deal of fear regarding this issue if both sides can learn from this it ensures a peaceful productive future. |
| Tony Kubiak from USA |
While resisting paranoia and suspicion to make sure their own interests are being protected within the political and economic systems of the West. |
| Tony Miller from USA |
That progression is actually regression. Stick with what feels right and reject the rest. Western folk are lazier than the Aboriginal tribes folk. |
| Vance Blow from USA |
What not to do |
| Anonymous |
That their way of life is better |
| Anonymous |
How to manage the negative impacts of our Western lifestyle. |
| Anonymous |
The Aboriginal people could also learn about the Western musical culture allow for a more engaging and engaged exchange of musical creation and expression. |
| Wilder Belabour from Colombia |
Nothing |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Not much probably.. |
| Yves from Canada |
Science |
