Conference Papers
Session WS6 young people and identity: discussion forum
Convenors: Ray Lovett, Scott Gorringe, John Davis, Frank Gafa
AIATSIS has convened two workshops to discuss the significance and impact of Aboriginal perceptions of identity, authenticity and deficit on the relationships between the many nations, groups and individuals who constitute Aboriginal Australia today. While recognizing that these perceptions are prevalent within (and originate from) the wider Australian community, the workshops focused on the way these perceptions are held and used by Aboriginal people. An initial workshop in December 2009 raised key issues for discussion and these were compiled and published as an AIATSIS Discussion Paper entitled: ‘Will the Real Aborigine Please Stand Up:’ Breaking the Stereotypes and Changing the Conversation’ (http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/research/documents/AIATSISDiscussionPaper28.pdf) . The second workshop in April 2011 brought together over fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from around Australia to continue these discussions and to begin to develop a framework that will enable change, from grassroots level to public policy. It became clear at the second meeting that young people had a great deal to contribute to the debate. In recognition of the importance of the voice of young people and the changing landscape of identity for many Indigenous Australians, there will be a forum at the 2011 AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference devoted to discussion for young people on this issue. The forum is intended as a full day on Thursday 22nd September.