Details of your assessment can be accessed from your Blackboard unit. Using the menu on the left, navigate to Assessments > Assessment 1: Case Study.
You are required to write a 1,000 - 1,200 word response on one, why connection to country is so important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and two, how both individuals and organisations can show respect of Indigenous people’s cultural values. The information sources to support your case study are listed below. The sources include scholarly journal articles, books and book chapters, news articles and government reports.
For this assessment, you are not required to search for or include sources beyond those provided in the source list below. This curated list of sources has already been assessed for relevance to the topic and the quality and veracity of information. Read the assessment questions and the marking rubric carefully. These will give you information that will help you when you are selecting from the list and critically reading the sources provided below.
These sources have been identified by Rae-Lee Warner in the Centre for Aboriginal Studies as being very helpful in understanding the key ideas in the assessment. You must use some of these sources in your answers.
Source
Cunneen, Chris. 2021. “Cartographies of Place: Being, Country and Indigenous Justice.” In Crossroads of Rural Crime, edited by Alistair Harkness and Rob White, 31-44, Leeds: Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-644-220211003.
Why use it? This book chapter discusses the ongoing contest in Australia between Indigenous peoples and colonisers over the concept of “Country” and explores how this concept influences their efforts to change the criminal justice system. While the chapter’s primary focus is on community safety and criminal justice, the author provides a detailed account of the idea of Country and shows that it is deeply connected to Indigenous peoples’ identities and worldviews.
Source
Finau, Glenn, Diane Jarvis, Natalie Stoeckl, Silva Larson, Daniel Grainger, Michael Douglas, Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation et al. 2023. “Accounting for Indigenous Cultural Connections to Land: Insights from Two Indigenous Groups of Australia.” Accounting, Auditing, & Accountability Journal 36 (9): 370-389. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-08-2022-5971.
Why use it? This academic journal article provides a case study of engaging with Indigenous peoples to develop a system of accounting that incorporates their cultural connections to Country. The authors highlight differences between Indigenous and Western worldviews and emphasise the need for meaningful engagement with and empowerment of Indigenous peoples in the accounting process. The most relevant sections for this assignment are in the Findings section (especially 4.1 Connections to country and 4.2 What people do to protect/look after those connections). These sections include accounts from members of two Indigenous communities in northern Australia about what Country means to them and how (and why) they care for it.
Source
Fredericks, Bronwyn. 2013. “‘We Don’t Leave Our Identities at the City Limits’: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Living in Urban Localities.” Australian Aboriginal Studies (1): 4-16. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/ielapa.422915104662241.
Why use it? This academic journal article examines the contradictions and struggles that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience when living in Australian towns and cities rather than in remote or very remote areas. While some of the discussion is beyond the scope of this assessment, the author discusses the concept of Country at length and explores Indigenous peoples’ connections to place (especially in urban contexts). While the article was published in 2013, its arguments are still relevant because an even greater proportion of Indigenous Australians live in cities and towns today. Bronwyn Fredericks is a prominent Indigenous Australian academic and university administrator.
These sources have been identified by the Library and Academic Capability Development teams as being helpful in addressing the case study questions. You are strongly encouraged to use some of these sources in your response.
Source
Croft, Harrison. 2022. “The Contested Nature of Dual-Naming in Australia.” Agora 57 (3): 15–19. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.684178404066163.
Why use it? This article explores instances where governments have acknowledged local Indigenous names of places in Australia alongside colonial names. The author argues that while acknowledging Indigenous names can legitimise the deep history of a place, this will only occur if the act of renaming is part of a broader process of engagement and reconciliation. Agora, the publication in which this article appears, is a journal of curated professional reading for history teachers in Australian secondary schools.
Source
Curtin, Nicole, Steven Bird, and Tracy Woodroffe. 2021. “’More Than a Word’: Practicing Reconciliation Through Indigenous Knowledge-Sharing in Tourism.” The Conversation, May 27, 2021 https://theconversation.com/more-than-a-word-practising-reconciliation-through-indigenous-knowledge-sharing-in-tourism-158563.
Why use it? This article discusses the importance of taking tangible action to recognise and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, histories and cultures. The authors suggest that participating in and supporting Indigenous tourism is a practical means to show respect for Indigenous people’s cultural values, including relationship to Country. The Conversation, the news organisation responsible for this article, largely publishes content written by academics, so it is more credible than other news sources.
Source
Heard, Isaac, Peter E.D. Love, Michael C.P. Sing, and Veronica Goerke. 2017. “Learning to Build Relationships for a Better Australia: Indigenous Reconciliation in Action in the Construction and Resource Sectors.” Construction Innovation 17 (1): 4-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-06-2015-0032.
Why use it? This academic journal article explores how construction and resource companies operating in Western Australia have been planning to build better relationships with Indigenous communities as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. It also describes some strategies companies can follow to improve how they engage with Indigenous people in a respectful manner. The Findings and Discussions section and the Conclusion will be most useful for your assessment.
Source
Langton, Marcia. 2023. The Welcome to Country Handbook: A Guide to Indigenous Australia. South Yarra: Hardie Grant Explore. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/curtin/detail.action?docID=30620011.
Why use it? This book provides an accessible introduction to the past and present of Indigenous peoples in Australia. We recommend you focus on the chapter on Business and Tourism (pp. 226-241). It discusses a range of topics, including: the deep connections Aboriginal people have with Country; the ways Indigenous people have engaged with businesses; and the challenges and opportunities faced by the Indigenous tourism sector. It will help you to answer each of the case study questions. Marcia Langton is a prominent Indigenous academic and author.
Source
Norris, Jack. 2021. “The Naming of the Yarra River as an Act of Colonialism.” Agora 56 (3): 59–67. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.153231888063755?af=R.
Why use it? This article uses the example of the Yarra River (a famous river that runs through Melbourne) to argue that the colonial naming of features within the Australian landscape has silenced and ignored Indigenous knowledge and presence. The author suggests that reinstating local Indigenous names can be part of a process of ‘decolonisation’ and a way to recognise and celebrate Indigenous people and their culture. Agora, the publication in which this article appears, is a journal of curated professional reading for history teachers in Australian secondary schools.
Source
Wensing, E. 2014. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Relationships to ‘Country’.” In Australian Environmental Planning: Challenges and Future Prospects, edited by Jason Byrne, Neil Sipe, and Jago Dodson, 9-20. Abingdon: Routledge. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/curtin/detail.action?docID=1675922.
Why use it? This book chapter describes a growing movement in Australian environmental planning and land management to integrate Indigenous and Western approaches. It is useful for this assessment because it draws on a range of perspectives to explore Indigenous peoples’ understandings of Country and how to care for it, while contrasting their approaches to the environment with those of other Australians. The source was published in 2014, so some of the policy debates it describes may no longer be current. However, its discussion of the assessment’s key themes remains salient.
These sources provide examples of actions businesses and organisations have taken to show respect to Indigenous people’s cultural values, including relationship to Country. You must use some of the sources to provide evidence and examples for Questions 2a and 2b.
Source
City of Vincent. 2022. “Vincent Embraces NAIDOC Week Theme Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” City of Vincent. https://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/news/vincent-embraces-naidoc-week-theme-get-up!-stand-up!-show-up!/11769.
Why use it? This webpage provides details about how the City of Vincent (a local council in Perth) is attempting to engage with Indigenous communities. The article explains the key actions proposed in the organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), including procurement and employment targets. NAIDOC Week is a week-long festival held in July each year that celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The article appears on the City of Vincent’s official website.
Source
Foster, Brendan. 2024. “Aboriginal Elders Give WA Council Green Light to Return Park to Indigenous Name.” National Indigenous Times, February 15, 2024. https://nit.com.au/15-02-2024/9817/aboriginal-elders-give-wa-council-green-light-to-change-park-back-to-original-indigenous-name.
Why use it? This newspaper article reports on a recent vote by the council in the City of Vincent (a local council in Perth) to rename Banks Reserve to its original Noongar name, Warndoolier. The article explains that this action is part of a broader commitment to recognising and preserving Noongar language and culture in the community. The article appears in the National Indigenous Times, an online newspaper that reports on Indigenous issues across Australia.
Source
METRONET. 2018. Gnarla Biddi: Metronet’s Aboriginal Engagement Strategy. Perth, WA: METRONET. https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/Portals/31/Project%20Documents/Gnarla%20Biddi/METRONET%20Aboriginal%20Engagement%20Strategy.pdf.
Why use it? This government report outlines METRONET’s (the government body responsible for extending Perth’s rail network) Aboriginal engagement strategy. It describes how METRONET is engaging with the Aboriginal community and on pages 13-14 provides a framework which outlines the different aspects of engagement. These aspects include Noongar Cultural Recognition, Noongar Cultural Input into Place Making and Land Access, and Sites Management. The report appears on the official METRONET website.
Source
METRONET. 2023. “Noongar Culture and Language Celebrated Through Place Names at New Stations.” METRONET. https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/news/latest-news/category/gnarla-biddi/noongar-culture-and-language-celebrated-through-place-names-at-new-stations.
Why use it? This news brief outlines the work that METRONET (the government body responsible for extending Perth’s rail network) is undertaking to acknowledge the connection of Noongar people (the Indigenous peoples in the area around Perth, Western Australia) to Country. The article also details how the body is working together with Noongar people to celebrate and promote their culture, customs and values. It links to a further page detailing the formal Noongar Reference Group that has been created for the program. The article appears on the official METRONET website.
Source
Bloch, Aaron. 2021. “Australia Post Launches Traditional Place Names Packaging.” National Indigenous Times, July 8, 2021. https://nit.com.au/08-07-2021/2137/australia-post-launches-traditional-place-names-packaging.
Why use it? This news article describes Australia Post’s initiative to include traditional place names on their packaging. By listening to Indigenous voices Australia Post has found a way to recognise country and to promote and celebrate Indigenous communities. The article appears in the National Indigenous Times, an online newspaper that reports on Indigenous issues across Australia.
Source
Australia Post. 2022. “Australia Post Welcomes Release of Inaugural Indigenous Employment Index.” Media release, June 2, 2022. https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/article/australia-post-welcomes-release-of-inaugural-indigenous-employment-index.
Why use it? This media release details the projects Australia Post is undertaking in its commitment to its Reconciliation Action Plan, including employment targets and professional development projects, the Traditional Place Names project and other partnerships. While few specific details about these initiatives are provided, you can use this source together with other examples (and ideas and information from Lists A and B) to address Question 2.
It is important to employ good reading techniques including assessing your sources for quality and credibility before deciding whether to include them. Check out our guide on Evaluating sources and lateral reading for tips.