ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the need for making connections between and among cultures, especially Aboriginal and dominant cultures. It compares and contrasts three Aboriginal cultures: the Adnyamathanha people of South Australia, the Sechelt people of Canada, and the Paiwan people of Taiwan. It suggests that several themes need to be addressed: The first theme is cultural memory connections with land; The second theme is cultural performance: creating and living connections; The third theme is one of cultural translation: connections for art education. The cultural memory of the societies is based upon notions of responsibility rather than upon notions of rights. The cultural performances of Aboriginal peoples are deeply grounded in their relationships to the land. Cultural translation is about researching with people rather than on or about people. The chapter also attempts to show how cautiously and reflectively cultural translators must proceed when there are dramatic language and ideological differences among cultures.
