Indigenous studies Subjects - Annotated Bibliography

Week 2

Lecture Reflection: Colonialism at global level 

The lecture has provided detailed insight of the colonial legacy at global level by specifically detailing the colonialism and segregation in South Africa, US and Australia. The colonial interventions are stated chronologically, along with detailing the common thread of colonialism in these nations. The emergence of Neo colonialism along with examples of neo colonialism from South Africa, US and Australia has specifically grabbed my attention. The lecture was highly insightful for helping me to understand that how world has moved to current neo colonialism by moving slowly through different stages of race segregation.  

Set Reading

Cunneen, C., 2005. Colonialism and historical injustice: Reparations for Indigenous peoples. Social Semiotics, 15(1), pp.59-80.

Key words: Reparations, aboriginal people, injustice, colonialism 

The article has mainly discussed the reparations and compensation that is demanded by Aboriginal people, for the racial discrimination which they have experienced as part of institutional legislations. The paper has discussed different facets of actions which justify the discrimination faced by Aboriginal people. For example, deprivation of liberty, deprivation of parental rights, removal of indigenous children without permission of parents, the failure of guardianship and care duties, racism and violation of human right standards for Aboriginal people. The article stated that current legislations of Government which happen to support assimilation in case of reparation is not enough to right the discrimination experienced by indigenous people. The recommendations are being made for ongoing legislations and reconciliations to assure that reparation against historical injustice can be made. 

My Chosen Reading

Maddison, S., 2008. Indigenous autonomy matters: what's wrong with the Australian government's ‘intervention’ in Aboriginal communities? Australian Journal of Human Rights, 14(1), pp.41-61.

Key word: Indigenous autonomy, aboriginal communities, political dependency, autonomy

The article mentions that long run colonialism in Australia has enforced the aboriginal people to live under political dependency and recent interventions which are being undertaken by Government against the allegations of discrimination in aboriginal communities are not considered a real solution. The aboriginal people are experiencing powerlessness and lack of control, as they depend on administration and management policies governed by non-aboriginal people. The article has strengthened the view that institutionalized dependency has caused passive welfare and thus self-determination and autonomy is demanded by aboriginal people. Thus, the aspect of neo-paternalism is needed to be replaced by real autonomy and real self-determination driven policies and legislations.