“Contemporary Urban Indigenous 'Dreaming'

Abstract

Abstract 'But I'm not happy. My mind might be thoughtful. Because I was at the time really thinking, don't paint/share this. But they give me the job anyway, and I ask him, uncle and mother: 'Well, you can do him one this because only part'- and all this. I don't touch 'm secret today from start.' (Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarra)

As Indigenous rights of passage are stripped away and rituals and ceremonies no longer practiced, we as Indigenous Australian people continue to demonstrate ability in being able to validate knowledge of lost consciousness and memory. Establishing contemporary Indigenous narrative that is not only seen as viable, but also as making a valued contribution towards mainstream organisations and cultures … and at the same time continuing to act as a conduit to our old people. Therefore any discussion by Indigenous groups towards the ongoing sustainability and maintenance of Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous Studies becomes axiology in Indigenous authorship — a collective understanding towards Indigenous content as understood by Indigenous people's perspectives and knowledges. Interpretation and teaching that can successfully engage this process then becoming integral to the survival of Aboriginal epistemology.