Paper short abstract:

Focusing on Nicolas Peterson's work examining demand sharing, welfare colonialism, and the politics of indigeneity, this paper will explore the ways in which Warlpiri food narratives and choices reflect social, economic and political relations.

Paper long abstract:

Despite policies and initiatives aimed at improving Aboriginal health, life expectancy for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory continues to be almost twenty years less than that of non-Aboriginal people. One of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality among Aboriginal Territorians is chronic and lifestyle diseases. Many health care professionals believe that the rates of Aboriginal ill health could be significantly reduced simply by improving nutrition. In the Warlpiri community of Lajamanu, residents contrast the health benefits of hunting and gathering with the dangers of eating foods containing high levels of sugar and fat, while continuing to purchase large amounts of prepared foods from the takeaway. To explore the ways in which food narratives and choices are situated within the context of social and economic relations, this paper will draw from, and build upon, Nicolas Peterson's contributions to Australian anthropology. Focusing particularly on Peterson's work examining demand sharing, welfare colonialism, and the politics of indigeneity, I argue that while praising bush foods for their health benefits is one way of demonstrating the value of Aboriginal tradition and identity, practical considerations such as a lack of cooking facilities, low income, and reciprocity ensure that prepared foods from the takeaway continue to be a favoured source of sustenance.