ABSTRACT
This chapter is about Munyarl mythology—stereotypes and irrational beliefs about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Racism in Australian society has been supported by the lack of challenges to the ‘knowledge base’ on which institutionalised racism has been formed and on which it has been perpetuated. It has also led to the fostering of misconceptions and stereotypes about Aboriginal people and their history and cultures which have been generated by a lack of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal people's experiences of Australian history. The impact of institutionalised and cultural racism in Australia has been so pervasive that Australian education systems have failed to address fundamental issues to do with recognising the validity of Aboriginal history and culture and their rightful place in Australian society. The history of modern Australia began with a lie so terrible it resulted in the entire Aboriginal population of Australia being dispossessed of their lands.
