Indigenous epistemology and wellbeing: Universe referent citizenship
Indigenous epistemology and wellbeing: Universe referent citizenship Report
AIATSIS Research Discussion Paper
- Author(s): Kerry Arabena
- Published: 2008
- Publisher: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies; Native Title Research Unit
- Volume: AIATSIS Research Publications
Abstract: This research was commissioned by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Wellbeing Research Project which aims to demonstrate the importance of wellbeing in the development and delivery of cultural heritage and other programs for Aboriginal communities in New South Wales (NSW). This paper focuses on the potential for wellbeing by placing the human community in a direct relationship with the Universe. The Wellbeing Project had previously been working with a concept of the Universe as one of a list of social values, conceived of as ‘an acceptance of and protection of the welfare of all human beings and nature’. The paper draws on Indigenous philosophies and ecological knowledges about our place in the Universe and our constructs of citizenship and answers two questions: • In what ways might government and Indigenous knowledge of cultural heritage places be contextualized in the concept of the Universe as developed by this research? And; • How might this concept of the Universe apply to expressions of Indigenous identity, the sharing of knowledge associated with that identity, and the use of that knowledge by individuals who experience Indigenous identities? This project provided an opportunity for ten key informants (six women and four men) to conceive knowledge for the future by placing the Universe as the ‘primary’ in our lives. The information from these interviews was subject to a comparative analysis in order to make recommendations contained in this report relevant to cultural heritage organisations across Australia, to be considered when implementing programs and projects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Urls: https://aiatsis.gov.au/publication/35445
- Publisher Location: Canberra