Towards Autonomy: Aboriginal Activism and Social Movements
Theresa Petray, Department of Anthropology, Archaeology and Sociology, James Cook University
Social movements have a long and robust history of driving change within society. In Australia, the struggle for Aboriginal rights has often been at the forefront of national consciousness, yet this cause has received little attention from social movement theorists. Research focuses on specific events, but does not identify or analyse a general ‘Aboriginal social movement’. Yet there is an almost dizzying array of movement theories and typologies available which may offer insight into the workings of Aboriginal movements. Hence, this project examines Aboriginal activism through a theoretical lens; it simultaneously enhances social movement theories and the empirical knowledge of Aboriginal activism. Many different Aboriginal movements appear to exist; these are examined and classified to allow for comparison with other collective action. The project is qualitative, and relies heavily on ethnographic research. Participant observation, interviews, and previously recorded oral histories provide the bulk of information, offering a phenomenological approach which is rarely seen in social movement literature. The research for this project relies heavily on a ‘critically engaged activist research’ (Speed, 2006), in which the researcher and participants work together to merge theoretical analysis with collective action.
