Defining 'Indigenous': Between Culture and Biology

Stephen Pritchard

doi:10.5130/csr.v10i2.3471

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Published: Aug 12, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5130/csr.v10i2.3471

Keywords:

Australia, law, legislation, Aboriginal people, culture, identity, biology,

Stephen Pritchard

Monash University

Abstract

This essay considers a range of discourses on identity and the definition of culture. I have little doubt that, generally speaking, Indigenous people are quite capable of defining the meaning of ‘Indigenous person’ or ‘culture’ in a way that satisfies their specific immediate needs and interests. My concern here is with the definition of ‘Aboriginal or Indigenous person’ in Australian law and legislation and with the critical response, by members of the scientific community as well as cultural theorists, to references to a biological basis of identity.

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2004): Haunted

Section

Articles (Peer Reviewed)

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Author Biography

Stephen Pritchard, Monash University

STEPHEN PRITCHARD is a lecturer in the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies at Monash University. He has published articles in journals including Theory, Culture and Society, International Journal of Cultural Studies, Social Semiotics, Communal/Plural, Law & Critique, Balayi and Jouvert, and his book An Introduction to Multiculturalism is forthcoming with Sage.

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Stephen Pritchard, Monash University