Changing Paradigms of Indigeneity in Australia and the Politics of Representation

Since the arrival of settlers in Australia in 1788, the Australian Indigenous society has undergone significant socio-cultural and political transformations. The colonial period of Australia can be divided into distinct phases based on the relationships between the native people and the settlers. During these phases of the colonial period, the settlers adopted various policies aimed at erasing the Australian Aboriginals' Indigenous identity. Some of these controversial policies were the policy of eugenics and miscegenation, the Stolen Generation, and the forcible displacement of the native peoples from their traditional lands to confine them on reserves and missions controlled by settlers. This displacement, coupled with other factors like disease and violence, significantly reduced the Aboriginal population. Furthermore, children of mixed heritage were forcibly removed from their families. These colonial policies were aimed at destroying the rich cultural practices and cultural heritages of Aboriginals, as these are the major sources from which Aboriginals derive their Indigenous identity. The post-colonial Indigenous society of Australia is going through the process of decolonisation through restoration and revival of cultural practices, thinking patterns, beliefs and traditional knowledge systems. This paradigm shift is taking place as Aboriginals are recovering their cultural practices, rich Aboriginal languages and their Indigenous identity. They are revisiting and renegotiating their past as they are making consistent efforts to incorporate the marginalised voices based on gender, race, ethnicity, and so on. It has become highly significant for them to revisit their rich Indigenous history and society, as all the modern-day problems of theirs emanate from the cultural subjugation, exploitation, and historical injustice meted out by the colonisers. These injustices continue to affect post-colonial societies through various legacies like economic inequality, social stratification, and psychological trauma. With these shifting paradigms of Indigeneity in Australia, the demand for representation in policy-making is gaining momentum. This includes calls for direct representation in parliament, self-determination, and control over Aboriginal affairs. This research paper will examine the multiple facets of Aboriginality with respect to changing times in Aboriginal history, and it will also explore the need for activism and representation for Aboriginals in the contemporary scenario of the country.