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Accepted Paper:

Identity and Indigeneity in Urban Performance  
Angel Bright (University of Canterbury)

Paper short abstract:

This paper examines urban indigenous performance in Australia and its relationship with the state. It will show that through performance, urban indigenous Australians are actively piecing together a cultural heritage that has been fragmented during colonial processes.

Paper long abstract:

Within anthropological literature there has been minimal research into the ways urban indigenous Australians are creating their own forms of public performance in relation to the state. As such, this paper examines the indigenous performance "Woggan-ma-gule: Farm Cove Morning Ceremony", performed in the Sydney botanic gardens as part of the Australia Day celebrations. This paper will show how issues surrounding Australia Day and its colonial legacy are negotiated by urban performers through this performance.

In addition, this paper will acknowledge the unique situation of indigenous performers, who find themselves performing aboriginality in an urban setting. It will outline how their individual creativity is compensating for a sense of cultural loss. This paper will show that through performance, urban indigenous Australians are actively seeking out an identity and piecing together a cultural heritage that has been fragmented during colonial processes.

In this paper, I propose that performance in an urban setting is no less significant than its rural counterpart, though it may be significant for different reasons. The conference presentation will include footage and images from the performance and draw on the personal experiences of the performers.

Panel P34
The missing majority: indigenous peoples, two way appropriation, and identity in densely colonised spaces
  Session 1