Australian Aboriginal Studies Sociology

Although Aboriginal peoples inhabited in Australia continuously for over forty thousands years, Australian Indigenous Studies or “the study of and about the Indigenous peoples” (Nakata, 2006) is a relatively new discipline in the country’s academy. Since the introduction of the subject considered the first one relating to this matter at tertiary level in 1968 (Bourke and Bourke, 2006, p. 101), Indigenous Studies has entered into mainstream education and has now become “an expansive field of study in inquiry” at higher education (Nakata, 2006). Some argue that as a discipline, it has created more problems for Indigenous Australians today than it has solved. However, research shows that it has contributed to the empowerment and development of …show more content…
In public administration, anthropologists were influential in shaping government’s policies at the beginning of the 20th century. According to some theorists, “full bloods” would “…ever have advance much beyond the neo-lithics races…” (Markus, 1994, cited in Phillips and Lampert, 2005) whereas half-caste Aboriginal people would be assimilated through economic and genetic absorption. This notion led to the forcible child removal policy from around 1905 till the 1970s. Its consequences still remarkably impact life of the ‘Stolen Generations’ children: destruction of identity, families and …show more content…
For example, museum practice helps conserving, promoting Indigenous art to the world and stimulating Indigenous artists’ creativity. In Australian museums in first half of the 20th century, anthropology largely contributed to the historical documentation and archive of Indigenous art despite its limited presence and consideration as “primitive art”. Government’s support to collections and exhibitions in the 1950s helped the extensive acquisition of Indigenous artworks for display across the nation. The last two decades of the previous century saw the rise of Indigenous art when the reformation in art museum systems brought about space expansion and manifestations. Indigenous artists, in strong connection with their community, can now have their own voice and use their creativity to present their cultural heritage and perspectives (Murphy, 2011). Widespread permanent displays about Indigenous culture in museums across the country demonstrate appreciation of and interest in Indigenous creativity. Bunjilaka at Melbourne Museum - the only Aboriginal cultural centre in an Australian museum, is an excellent example of representing Indigenous culture in their authoritative voice. Moreover, documentations collected in anthropological archive can be useful for reconciliation effort. By examining the photo archive