The protection and trade of Indigenous heritage in the 21st century
Convened by AIATSIS research fellows Dave Johnston and Pam McGrath, this series of 12 lectures focus on contemporary Indigenous cultural heritage, exploring questions of who’s got it, who wants it, and who controls it.
The first decade of the new century has seen an increase in cultural heritage assessments across the country, the development of more robust international standards for the protection of heritage and a marked increase in the perceived value of Indigenous cultural heritage among Australians generally. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are finding innovative ways to mesh new technologies with traditional knowledge to support the protection and renewal of cultural heritage.
Yet, as the findings of the 2011 State of the Environment Report show, Indigenous people remain for the most part absent in government processes that determine cultural heritage outcomes. Despite an increase in bureaucratic goodwill, economic development continues to be prioritised over site protection, with little attention paid to cumulative impacts. In the absence of a right to veto and a strong national voice advocating for more robust frameworks, local conflicts around cultural heritage protection are commonplace and communities are increasingly divided.
Seminars are webcast at http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/research/SeminarWebcasts.html
Seminars are free and open to the public.
| Monday, 5 August |
The protection and management of Australia’s Indigenous sites and cultural heritage values: a crisis of neglect
Dave Johnston (Aboriginal archaeologist)
| Monday, 12 August |
Ethics of anthropological archives: academic heritage and Indigenous priorities
Dr Barbara Glowczewski (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris)
| Monday 19 August |
Profit over protection: the Bootu Creek sacred site desecration case
Dr Benedict Scambary (CEO of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority)
| Monday, 2 September |
Emeritus Professor Ken Taylor (Australian National University) will speak on the cross-cultural application of the concept of ‘heritage landscapes’ internationally.
| Monday, 9 September |
Professor Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh (Griffith University) will explore the increasing trend towards managing heritage through private agreements.
| Monday 23 September |
Dr Graeme Ward (AIATSIS) will speak about the history of AIATSIS in promoting Indigenous cultural heritage research and protection.
| Monday, 14 October |
David Ritter (CEO Greenpeace Australia) will look at cultural heritage in the crossfire of green and black politics.
| Monday, 28 October |
Sam Wickman Juparulla will share his ideas on how Indigenous cultural heritage is being managed in Australia based on his unique position as an archaeologist, artist and man of lore.
| Monday, 4 November |
Professor Peter Veth (University of Western Australia) will present on rock art, social identity and the cultural resilience of ‘heritage landscapes’ internationally.