Australian Indigenous Studies concerns matters of interest and importance to First Nations Peoples. Indigenous studies are often conducted in interdisciplinary contexts, and at ANU, the field combines insights from anthropology, archaeology, art, history, linguistics, music, public policy, and gender studies. The discipline explores the extraordinary breadth, depth and diversity of First Peoples' knowledges and ways of knowing, the diverse perspectives and experiences of Australia’s First Peoples, and seeks to deepen awareness of and respect for Indigenous Peoples' rights.
Key topics that will be explored by students at ANU include Indigenous epistemologies; Indigenous occupation and adaption on the Australian continent; Indigenous socio-cultural, ceremonial, artistic and linguistic practices past and present; impacts of European colonisation; histories of relationships between Indigenous and other Australians; the situation of Indigenous peoples in Australia today; and related issues of representation. These themes are investigated in tandem with an awareness about their situation within global issues for First Nations people across multiple nations, especially in the Asia-Pacific.
For further information on Australian Indigenous Studies offered across the university, please see the Australian Indigenous Studies at ANU page.