Indigenising Philosophy - Resources
Compiled by the members of MAP, University of Melbourne chapter.
This is an evolving document - please get in touch if you would like to suggest a resource.
Indigenous Philosophy: ways of knowing, being and doing
-Dr. Mary Graham,
‘Some Thoughts and the Philosophical Underpinnings of Aboriginal Worldviews’
Mary Graham is a Kombu-merri person. She has lectured and tutored on Aboriginal history, politics, and comparative philosophy at the University of Queensland and at other educational institutions around the country. As the title suggest, the above paper explicates the philosophies underpinning Aboriginal Australian worldviews. Here is a quote from the paper, ‘Because land is sacred and must be looked after, the relation between people and land becomes the template for society and social relations. Therefore all meaning comes from land’ (pp. 181-182)
-Prof. Irene Watson,
‘Re-centering First Nations Knowledge and Places in a Terra Nullius Space’
Irene Watson is a Tanganekald, Meintangk-Bunganditj woman, solicitor, representative at the UN, and researcher. The above paper explains the impact of the myth of Terra Nullius on Aboriginal Australian law, philosophy, and knowledges, especially those pertaining to the land. It also discusses the need to transform colonised spaces and knowledges, so that First Nations peoples’ laws, philosophy and knowledges (in all their diversity) will no longer be marginalised.
Also read ‘On why a treaty must put First Nations’ perspectives at the centre’
-Lauren Gower,
‘What do you need a whitefella’s education for? A yarn about Aboriginal philosophy’
‘Disintegration: a homecoming’
Lauren Gower belongs to the trawlwoolway people of tebrakunna country, and currently lives and works on unceded Kulin country in Melbourne. She is an academic, writer and artist whose research and creative practice focus on poetic, performative and participatory engagements with country.
-Dr. Karen Martin,
‘Ways of knowing, being and doing: A theoretical framework and methods for indigenous and indigenist re-search’
Dr Karen Martin is a Noonuccal woman from North Stradbroke Island with Bidjara ancestry. She is the Deputy Chair Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children and Deputy Chair Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee. Her above paper interrogates the myth of terra nullius, and the dispossession of Indigenous knowledges, especially in regards to education and research. She states ‘This paper, then, is a preliminary finding of this ongoing quest to re-search and represent our worldviews as the basis from which we live, learn and survive.’
-Uncle Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta,
Read the poem ‘Ghost Nets and Waterlines’ or listen to Uncle Jim read the poem here (I recommend you do!)
Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta is from the clan plangermairreenner of the Ben Lomond people. He is a fisherman, activist, writer, academic, and film-maker.
-Dr. Victoria Grieves,
‘Aboriginal Spirituality: Aboriginal Philosophy, the basis of Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing’
The above paper is developed for people working within health practice, but is accessible and insightful for all. It addresses Aboriginal philosophy and the range of expressions and practices that occur in the lives of individuals.
-Professor Bronwyn Carlson
‘The Politics of Identity: Who counts as Aboriginal today?’
Prof. Bronwyn Carlson is an Aboriginal woman who was born on D’harawal country in NSW. She works in the Department of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. This book is an exploration of Aboriginality and how it is conceived by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, as well as how these understandings are reproduced across contexts.
-Galarrwuy Yunupingu
“A song of the joy which lies in the land. Read it and feel humble at the greatness of humanity as a part of the world. "The land is YOU", said Galarrwuy.” Galarrwuy Yunupingu is a Yolngu man of the Gumatj clan who has been involved in the ongoing battles for Indigenous land rights.
-Lisa Strelein (ed.)
‘Dialogue About Land Justice: Papers from the National Native Title Conferences’
This book is a selection of papers from the national Native Title Conferences, which features work from Indigenous leaders and senior jurists. The papers vary in focus, but all contribute to an in-depth exploration of Indigenous land justice in the Australian context.
More writing and thought:
-Bruce Pascoe,
Dark Emu: Aboriginal Australia and the Birth of Agriculture
Bruce Pascoe is a writer and historian of Tasmanian, Bunurong and Yuin descent. Here is a blurb of his book, Dark Emu, ‘Dark Emu argues for a reconsideration of the 'hunter-gatherer' tag for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians and attempts to rebut the colonial myths that have worked to justify dispossession.’
-Dr. Gregory Phillips
‘Findings show importance of teaching doctors and nurses about unconscious bias’
Gregory Phillips is Waanyi and Jaru from North West Queensland. He established an accredited Indigenous health curriculum framework for medical schools in Australia and New Zealand, the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education Network and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation in the wake of the federal apology.
-Victor Steffensen
Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Save Australia
Victor Steffensen is an Indigenous writer, filmmaker, musician and consultant applying traditional knowledge values in a contemporary context, through workshops and artistic projects. Here is a blurb of his book, Fire Country ‘Delving deep into the Australian landscape and the environmental challenges we face, Fire Country is a powerful account from Indigenous land management expert Victor Steffensen on how the revival of cultural burning practices, and improved 'reading' of country, could help to restore our land.’
Video, Film, Media
In My Blood it Runs
A highly recommended documentary. Follows Dujuan, a 10 year old Arrernte boy, as he navigates colonial systems (education, law) whilst maintaining and exploring his connections to community, country, and Aboriginal philosophy.
Why we need First Nations-led education
A discussion extending on themes introduced in the documentary In My Blood it Runs, and why agency for Aboriginal Australians in education is so important.
The Beach (from Warwick Thornton)
Described as a ‘journey into place and self’, Warwick Thornton documents himself in isolation on the Dampier Peninsula, cooking, resting, hunting, playing guitar and reminiscing through storytelling.
Walk the Line: Indigenous Place-Making in Design with Jefa Greenaway
A conversation with Jefa Greenaway discussing Indigenous design across several projects in Melbourne. He explains how the project is concerned with connecting to country.
Emanating from her inspirational work on the Living Pavilion exhibition, University of Melbourne colleague and Barkandji woman Zena Cumpston has compiled a booklet on the medicinal, nutritional and technological use of indigenous plants from the lands of the Kulin Nation.
The University of Melbourne subjects
-Indigenous First Principles: A fourth-year subject with a focus on Aboriginal philosophy. We hear it only has a few students this semester, so we encourage you to enrol!
-Ancient and Contemporary Indigenous Arts: Taught by Lauren Gower
-Indigenous Cultures and Knowledges Taught by Lauren Gower
-Aboriginal Land, Law and Philosophy
-Key Thinkers and Concepts
More subjects can be found here:
https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/2017/components/b-arts-major-5/course-structure
To follow on social media
Let us know if there’s anyone out there who we should be following on social media!
Contact Minorities And Philosophy
https://www.facebook.com/mapmelbuni/
mapmelbuni@gmail.com