10 Amazing Facts That Will Open Your Eyes On Depth Of Indigenous Culture

Savages, noble savages...how about an idea, that First Nations were too advanced for us to grasp their subtle ways?

1. Worlds first knowledge-based ecofarming

Indigenous farmers used fisheries and fire-stick farming that enhanced and contributed to healthy ecosystems. They learned and adapted. First nations developed and perfected method for harvesting cereal, designed to generate maximum nutritional value from the wild millet grass with minimum effort. The secret is to learn how nature works and help it on the way with minimum energy effort, without changing ecology of soil or associated ecosystems.

2. Respect is not an admiration or obedience.

Showing respect is revealing your true form to people that you think are worth the effort and are able to comprehend who your are. Showing your true nature is the sign of respect.

3. Fail-proof method of preserving knowledge and society

Via tuckandee.com.au

"Traditionally, every Noonghaburra person was born to a brother or sister in one of the surrounding 25 communities. This person (Tuckandee) was a stranger, but was taught all the Noonghaburra law, religion and belief. So, if you died, they could join your community and take over the teaching of your children. The teaching could take years and only then could the Tuckandee return to his/her own family and community": Tex Skuthorpe

4. Society of peace

Australia-wide, before 1788, there exist no reports of aggressive warfare with intention of taking over another country or of conquering an army. An Idea of taking over another country was completely meaningless. If a war campaign were to succeed, it would only mean more work and more responsibility! Testosterone-fuelled young men would have got enough of an adrenaline surge from long educational walkabouts. Close kinship relationships and peace was further fostered with tuckandee and marriage connections.

5. Writing and record keeping existed long before arrival of European colonists

In spite of common misconception, First Nation's knowledge and laws are recorded all through out the country, on its rocks, cliffs and caves. First Nations (e.g. Noonghaburra) used stone cylinders to record all births, deaths and marriages in order to keep track of the totem and kinship relations of the communities.

6. Deep understanding of the cosmos

Brocken Inaglory

The Yolngu people in north Eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, long recognised how the tides are linked to the phases of the moon. Back in the early 17th century, Italian scientist Galileo Galilei was still proclaiming, incorrectly, that the moon had nothing to do with tides.

7. First nations had a thriving economy that in composition is similar to today's economy driven by intangibles

80% of GDP was non-material or intangibles and 20% was material goods. First nations had commerce, education, science, agriculture, legal system, houses, crops, writing and social security. Trade was used to foster trust between people.

8. Over 700 languages existed before colonisation

Via aiatsis.gov.au

First nations people were able to speak up to 5 languages fluently, but now many languages are critically endangered. 60 languages are considered 'alive' and in use as a first tongue today. There were over 500 thriving nations prior to arrival of Europeans on the continent

9. Optimum health and fitness prior to contact with Europeans

National Archives of Australia

High standard of food and a healthy lifestyle maybe some of the contributing reasons why the Indigenous people experienced fewer illnesses then the average Westerner living in Australia, Europe or USA of today.

10. Oldest continuously surviving culture on the planet

Australian Wild / Via australianwild.com

First nation stories are the longest continuous record of historic events and spirituality in the world. Society's model for sustainability has the longest proven track record on earth.