Redefining viability: Aboriginal homelands communities in north-east Arnhem Land

Redefining viability: Aboriginal homelands communities in north-east Arnhem Land

Title	Redefining viability: Aboriginal homelands communities in north-east Arnhem Land
Authors/Contributors	Morphy, Frances (Author)
Publication Title	Australian Journal of Social Issues
Date	2008
Abstract Note	The current policy debate about the future of small Indigenous homelands communities in remote Australia is being framed in terms of a narrow economic definition of ‘viability’, with little attention to factors such as the social characteristics of such communities and the health, well-being, and aspirations of those who choose to live there. The debate is taking place in the absence of comparative socio-demographic data on these communities as opposed to other kinds of settlements in remote Australia. This paper argues for a broader conceptualisation of viability. It outlines some reasons why governments might consider helping homelands communities to become more economically self-sufficient rather than starving them of support so that their inhabitants increasingly face a ‘choice’ between a marginalized and impoverished existence on the homelands and recentralisation in larger settlements. The argument is based on an analysis of ethnographic data from north-east Arnhem Land that demonstrate the social cohesiveness and functionality of homelands communities as compared to larger hub settlements.
Resource Type	Journal Article
URL	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00109.x
DOI	10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00109.x
Citation	Morphy, F. (2008). Redefining viability: Aboriginal homelands communities in north-east Arnhem Land. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 43(3), 381–396. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00109.x
Link to this record	http://ikbe-library.unimelb.edu.au/bibliography/HLXH7KAY/

Title

Authors/Contributors

Morphy, Frances (Author)

Publication Title

Australian Journal of Social Issues

Date

2008

Abstract Note

The current policy debate about the future of small Indigenous homelands communities in remote Australia is being framed in terms of a narrow economic definition of ‘viability’, with little attention to factors such as the social characteristics of such communities and the health, well-being, and aspirations of those who choose to live there. The debate is taking place in the absence of comparative socio-demographic data on these communities as opposed to other kinds of settlements in remote Australia. This paper argues for a broader conceptualisation of viability. It outlines some reasons why governments might consider helping homelands communities to become more economically self-sufficient rather than starving them of support so that their inhabitants increasingly face a ‘choice’ between a marginalized and impoverished existence on the homelands and recentralisation in larger settlements. The argument is based on an analysis of ethnographic data from north-east Arnhem Land that demonstrate the social cohesiveness and functionality of homelands communities as compared to larger hub settlements.

Resource Type

Journal Article

URL

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00109.x

DOI

10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00109.x

Citation

Morphy, F. (2008). Redefining viability: Aboriginal homelands communities in north-east Arnhem Land. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 43(3), 381–396. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00109.x

Link to this record

http://ikbe-library.unimelb.edu.au/bibliography/HLXH7KAY/