Examining the Associations between Indigenous Rangers, Culture and Wellbeing in Australia, 2018–2020

Alyson Wright, Mandy Yap, Roxanne Jones, Alice Richardson, Vanessa Davis and Raymond Lovett
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Alyson Wright: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, 64 Mills Road, Acton 2600, Australia
Mandy Yap: Centre for Aboriginal Economic and Policy Research, The Australian National University, Acton 2600, Australia
Roxanne Jones: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, 64 Mills Road, Acton 2600, Australia
Alice Richardson: Statistical Consulting Unit, The Australian National University, Acton 2600, Australia
Vanessa Davis: Tangentyere Council, 1 Elders St, Alice Springs 0870, Australia
Raymond Lovett: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, 64 Mills Road, Acton 2600, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: The centrality of culture to Indigenous peoples’ health and wellbeing is becoming increasingly acknowledged in government policy. In Australia, the Indigenous Ranger program is a leading example of employment that supports increased cultural participation. In 2017, we demonstrated higher life satisfaction and family wellbeing among Indigenous Rangers compared to non-Rangers in Central Australia. Using an expanded national dataset, this present study aimed to: examine if associations between Ranger status and wellbeing continued to be observed in Central Australia; assess if these associations were observed among non-Central Australian Rangers; and, quantify the effect of mediating variables (Rangers status, cultural factors) on wellbeing outcomes. We analyzed Mayi Kuwayu baseline data ( n = 9691 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and compared participants who identified as past or currently employed Rangers compared to non-Rangers across two geographic locations (Central Australia, non-Central Australia). Ranger participation was significantly associated with very high life satisfaction and family wellbeing in Central Australia (high life satisfaction PR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09–1.57, and family wellbeing (PR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01–1.36) and non-Central Australia (high life satisfaction PR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06–1.57), family wellbeing (PR 1.37, 95% CI 1.14–1.65). These findings concord with those observed in the 2017 proof-of-concept study. Additionally, we found that Ranger status partially mediated the relationships between existing cultural practices (first language as your Indigenous language and living on your country) and the two wellbeing outcomes. Current cultural practices, spending time on country and speaking your Aboriginal language, also partially mediated the associations between Ranger status and high life satisfaction, and between Ranger status and high family wellbeing. This analysis supports evidence that both Ranger employment and cultural participation are contributors to wellbeing. Ranger work is not only good for land, but it is good for people. As such, determining policies that mutually acknowledge and enhance culture, health and wellbeing will likely have additional benefits for the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

Keywords: survey; Indigenous; rangers; land management; language; country; environment; health and wellbeing; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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