Economics and Indigeneity: Relational Autonomy and the Lake Cowal Gold Mine Project
Marianne Hoyd, University of Sydney
This paper examines the discourse surrounding the economic necessities versus environmental considerations which influenced the Wiradjuri people in their decision-making process concerning the Lake Cowal gold mine project in central New South Wales. It deals with the concept of relational autonomy of the traditional owners vis-à-vis the various stakeholders such as a multinational Canadian mining company, multiple government agencies, the local white communities and the environmental organisations.
It has been proposed that if autonomy is allowed its full extent of meaning then it would refer only to an individual who is operating or existing in total isolation. This is not possible. Therefore the meaning of autonomy, especially for the Wiradjuri people in this scenario, is given consideration as is the gap between expectations and reality. The ‘official’ story and media records regarding the project are compared to the perceptions of the local Aboriginal and white communities.
