ICS Seminar Series - Timothy Rowse

Date: Thursday 21 May 2015
Time: 11.30am - 1pm
Venue: EE.G.02, Western Sydney University, Parramatta South campus

Timothy Rowse

Imagining the Australian Indigenous Land-Owner: 1963 – 2013

Abstract

This paper is from a work in progress – a book-length study of Australia's Indigenous relationships since 1901. How do we explain the massive and recent formation of an 'Indigenous Estate' (land and sea) in Australia? Two explanations at least seem important: there was no great political cost in conceding land that was left over after colonial interests had taken what they wanted; and the arguments for the creation of the Indigenous Estate are in harmony with common sense settler-colonial historicisms. In this paper I will develop the second point. After introducing the notion 'historicism', I will argue that land rights has sometimes been understood as a strategy to deal with problems of Indigenous acculturation. Certain dilemmas then present themselves in the design of title: the nature of the title-holding body and whether or not land/sea titles should be alienable. Towards the end of this paper I will ask what 'historicisms' currently ground settler colonial sympathy for the Indigenous Estate. I see at least two: the continuing historicism of acculturation/equalisation (land/sea title as marketable asset) and the recently emerged historicism of environmental redemption. These historicisms imply contrasting futures, and this accounts for some current Indigenous debates.

Biography

Tim Rowse is Professorial Fellow in the Dean's Unit, School of Humanities and Communication Arts and a School-based member of the Institute for Culture and Society. He has been writing on Australian Indigenous affairs since the early 1980s. His most recent book is Rethinking social justice: from 'peoples' to 'populations' (2012).

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The Institute for Culture and Society is located in Parramatta, “the place where the eel sets down” in Dharug language,
along the north bank of the Parramatta River. It sits on the traditional lands and waters of the Burramattagal people of the Dharug Nation,
who have been stewards and caretakers of these territories since time immemorial, in what today is referred to as Greater Western Sydney,
one of the most diverse cultural communities in the world and home to the largest number of Indigenous Australians in the country.
The Institute for Culture and Society acknowledges the Dharug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to as Tharawal)
and Wiradjuri peoples as traditional custodians and Indigenous knowledge-holders, whose storytelling serve
as historical record, a form of teaching and learning, a way to care for Country,
and an expression of Indigenous culture and identity.