Australia's indigenous people, the Aborigines, were the first inhabitants of the Australian Outback. They have a unique cultural heritage that is based on an intimate relationship with nature and the land on which they live. This heritage includes rich and complex spiritual beliefs and traditional laws, which guide the people in all aspects of their daily lives. Ronald Berndt, who has studied Aboriginal culture, says, "Aboriginal religion is intimately associated with everyday living, with relations between the sexes, with the natural environment and with foodcollecting and hunting.... Their religion is a total way of life."

This way of life has proved strong and resilient through more than two hundred years of exposure to Western influences. Today, Aboriginal people in the Outback live in a variety of settings—in large towns, in Aboriginal townships, on rural settlements, and on traditional lands. The different communities...