Abstract

Australian Aborigine Oodgeroo Noonuccal/Kath Walker (1920–1993), having had only a primary school education, came to be awarded four honorary doctorates. An acknowledged poet, she was the first Australian Aborigine woman to have become a published author. Aiming to improve the status of the Aborigine, she became a political leader, and in her writings, made important distinctions between racial integration and assimilation and between just laws and equal rights. She retells Aborigine legends for the purpose of bringing understanding to Aborigine metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, religion, and socio-politics. Aboriginal philosophy rests on the principle that humanity is one with the universe. Humanity’s task is to preserve the earth, a task which, in view of current climate change, is in need of attention. Aborigine philosophy for her also meant developing habits of sharing, of tolerance, and of acquiring the skill of “deep listening and quiet still awareness.” Among many honors, the United States awarded her a Fulbright Scholarship and the United Kingdom awarded her Member of the Order of the British Empire. Her poetry has been acclaimed and set to music; she herself has been the subject of dramatic performances, but only here is she being acknowledged as philosopher.