Aboriginal Social
 Values

Event oriented

Co-operative

Communal/group oriented

Oral tradition

Learning by example

Live in harmony with environment

Conserving and sharing

Maintenance of status quo
 

Value in being
 

Custodianship of land communally

Disputes settled in community informally, no rules of evidence, based on custom (tribal law) and payback

Spiritual life – traditionally animistic

Non Aboriginal Social Values

Time oriented

Competitive

Individualistic

Written tradition

Learning by instruction

Control and use of environment

Acquisitive and accumulative

Acceptance of change/progress

Value in doing and achievement

Ownership of land by title
 

Disputes settled in formal court, strict rules of evidence, based on law and precedent
 

Pluralism of religions – individual choice