Short Abstract:

In the aftermath of the 2020 Juukan Gorge debacle in Western Australia, the State is seeking to amend its controversial Aboriginal heritage laws. What role does anthropology play in informing these politicised debates and in supporting indigenous voices?

Long Abstract:

In the aftermath of the 2020 Juukan Gorge debacle in Western Australia, a Federal Senate Inquiry into the matter will complete its final report in October 2021. Partly in response to that Inquiry, the West Australian government is seeking to table its draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021 to amend the out-dated Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 before the end of 2021.The State is facing broad-based opposition to the Bill and calls to delay its tabling are being made by numerous stakeholders.

Whilst much has been written by indigenous peoples, anthropologists, lawyers and archaeologists about the protection and management of indigenous heritage over an extended period, the current scenario presents as a watershed moment for the Aboriginal peoples of WA.The destruction of Juukan Gorge has crystalised media and public interest on a national and international scale throughout 2020. Recent history is, however, littered with incidents of site damage and destruction, just as devasting for relevant indigenous peoples, which have not captured such attention, let alone launched Federal Senate Inquiries or seen corporate CEO heads roll.

Indigenous groups are negotiating improved national protections and uniformity for protections across Australia. In addition to contributing to best practice standards, are anthropologists obliged to advocate?

This roundtable expands on previous writings on the topic (such as Pam McGrath’s 2016 edited collection The Right to Protect Sites) to explore these current threads and to consider the role that anthropology (ironically itself currently under threat in WA) can/should be playing.