Asserting cultural interests through the law: issues and innovations

Authors

Johnnie Aseron, University of New England
Kylie Anne Lingard, University of New EnglandFollow
Chris McLaughlin, University of New England
Jacqueline Williams, University of New England
Paul Martin, University of New England
Neyooxet Greymorning, University of Montana

RIS ID

113052

Publication Details

J. Aseron, K. Lingard, C. McLaughlin, J. Williams, P. Martin & N. Greymorning, 'Asserting cultural interests through the law: issues and innovations' in N. P. Stoianoff(ed), Indigenous Knowledge Forum - Comparative Systems for Recognising and Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Culture (2017) 69-96.

Abstract

While well-intentioned people may generally agree that Indigenous peoples' culture should be respected, precisely what this means is far from clear. Australia's 700,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens ('Indigenous Australians') are culturally diverse, with around 250 distinct language groups recorded to date. Different individuals and groups may have different interests in relation to their culture. Examples include the maintenance of culture, the development of culture within a traditional context, the capacity to secure socio-economic opportunities and the right to make decisions about culture. Each interest involves different issues, and recognition of some may come at a cost to others.