Land is of great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, often expressed as "connection to Country". Country can be spoken about as if it is a person, and it implies an interdependent and reciprocal relationship between an individual and the lands and seas of their ancestors. The relationship is enhanced and sustained by the living environment and
cultural knowledge. Because everything is connected, animals, trees, rocks, land and sky all deserve respect. Past is connected to present, and there is a sense it is important to acknowledge and respect the country of other peoples, wherever one travels in Australia. The term "on Country", or "on [a specific people] country" is often used. Connection to country, "the most fundamental pillar of Indigenous identity", is a difficult concept for non-Indigenous Australians to understand, and disconnection from country has been shown to have an impact on Indigenous peoples' health and well-being. The connection to country is frequently expressed in
Indigenous art.
Bill Neidjie,
Gaagudju elder, expressed that it is by “feeling” country that a person is "made" (exists).
Palyku woman
Ambelin Kwaymullina: The deep spiritual connection felt by
Aboriginal Australians is related to their continuing occupation of the Australian continent for around 60,000 years, and the belief that Aboriginal lore/law was created by
spirit ancestors to look after the land and its people.
Songlines perform several functions, including mapping routes across the continent and passing on culture, and express connectedness to country. ==Caring for Country==