Muller, Lorraine (2023) Indigenous Research into Mainstream Australian Culture: Shifting the Lens. Routledge, Abingdon, UK.

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Abstract

Mainstream culture is positioned, in research and literature, as the normal by which all others are viewed and studied. Indigenous Australians have long been the focus of research that is designed by and for members of non-Indigenous mainstream Australian society. Before this research, no one has considered that Indigenous Australians might have questions about certain aspects and protocols of non-Indigenous mainstream culture that are not clear. This study shifts the research lens to explore the values and principles of mainstream non-Indigenous Australian culture from an Indigenous perspective. Through its foundation in my previous study, the need for research into mainstream Australian culture that was designed by and for Indigenous Australians was first identified (Muller, 2010). This new research is initiated by Indigenous Australian people for the primary benefit of Indigenous peoples. It contributes a greater understanding of mainstream Australian culture and addresses an element that is missing from literature and current tertiary curricula. For example, cross-cultural programmes and courses are available to assist non-Indigenous people develop an understanding of Indigenous Australians, yet there are no such resources to assist Indigenous people to understand mainstream non-Indigenous society. Decolonisation formed the theoretical framework for this research. Centred within the third stage of “Healing and Forgiveness: Reclaiming Wellbeing and Harmony” (Muller, 2020, pp. 60, 217–218), it used a qualitative Indigenous research method grounded on respect. Participants of this study were professionals or students from a variety of disciplines in the helping professions who self-identified as belonging to mainstream non-Indigenous Australian culture. Recruitment was Australia-wide and had a selective focus aimed at reducing or excluding participants who expressed explicit racism. Conversation-promoting questions were provided to prospective participants and assisted in the enlistment of generous people who were prepared to look deep within themselves and their worldview to assist my inquiry. People shared their knowledge, either with individual interviews or by being a member of either of the two focus groups. In many areas, participants found it challenging to explain what it meant to belong to mainstream Australian culture because they rarely had to reflect on it in the depth I asked of them. Exploring the similarities and differences between their own culture and theory and Indigenous Australian culture and theory, using an Indigenous model of circular learning, provided opportunities for the mutual learning that fulfilled one of the stated aims of this research. Discussed in a culturally safe environment, some of the intricacies of what it means to be a member of non-Indigenous mainstream Australian culture were identified. Issues such as non-Indigenous individualism, use of time, family and relationship with Elders emerged where there are differences but also some similarities. The meaning of respect was another significant point of difference. For non-Indigenous Australians, a person should respect the law, whereas for Indigenous Australians, respect is law. While yarning about respect and exploring Indigenous and non-Indigenous understanding of it, an exciting new framework for non-Indigenous people engaging with decolonisation emerged. This proved useful in building greater inter-cultural understanding, especially in the focus groups. This research has demonstrated that fair-minded non-Indigenous mainstream peoples are interested in working to build a better relationship with Indigenous Australians. However, the current cross-cultural training processes do not nurture all of this goodwill because some people leave unfulfilled and unsure of how to progress. This study identifies a new and additional aspect of building on that goodwill and develops inter-cultural respect. Reversing the research lens to focus on mainstream Australian culture, from an Indigenous point of inquiry, is timely as the wider Australian society is asked to consider the implications of Australia’s Referendum Council’s 2017, historic “Uluru Statement from the Heart”. Recent usage of the Yolngu word “Makarrata” and talk of treaties indicates that this research is well positioned to contribute to the promotion of harmony and well-being between coloniser and colonised peoples, based on respect.

Item ID:	81002
Item Type:	Book (Research - A1)
ISBN:	978-1-003-24735-7
Keywords:	Shifting the Lens, Non-Indigenous Mainstream Australian, culture, Decolonisation
Copyright Information:	© 2024 Lorraine Muller The right of Lorraine Muller to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Sensitivity Note:	Shifting the Lens, the thesis this book was based on is restricted. This book is updated, with new content and is not sensitive.
Date Deposited:	29 Nov 2023 23:04
FoR Codes:	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4410 Sociology > 441004 Social change @ 20% 45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4599 Other Indigenous studies > 459999 Other Indigenous studies not elsewhere classified @ 30% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4499 Other human society > 449999 Other human society not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes:	13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1399 Other culture and society > 139999 Other culture and society not elsewhere classified @ 30% 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280114 Expanding knowledge in Indigenous studies @ 40% 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280123 Expanding knowledge in human society @ 30%
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