Indigenous Kinship with the Natural World in NSW

This report describes a project that looked at Aboriginal culture in New South Wales and whether 'totemism' is an appropriate way to describe the affiliations Aboriginal people have with plants, animals and the landscape.

Indigenous kinship with the Natural World in New South Wales cover
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Date
1 May 2003
Publisher
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Type
Publication
Status
Final
Cost
Free
Language
English
Tags
  • ISBN 0-73136-7049
  • File PDF 764KB
  • Pages 111
  • Name indigenous-kinship-with-the-natural-world-new-south-wales.pdf

 

This report is divided into two main sections. The first provides a critical analysis of anthropological approaches to ‘totemism’ in Australia, with specific reference to New South Wales. This part joins the past to the present.

The second part includes 2 case studies on the:

  • Ngiyampaa people in western New South Wales
  • Yuin people in and around the Wallaga Lake community on the south coast of New South Wales.

Each case study includes recommendations that, while not unique to the area, arise directly from the people who were interviewed.

The final part of the second section takes a broader look at issues arising from the case studies and offers recommendations for how Aboriginal totemic law could be more effectively integrated into government policy and practice.