The Torres Strait Islanders are Australia's 'other' indigenous minority. Their experience of colonialism and reaction to their position in Australian society provides a striking counterpoint to that of the Aborigines. The author applies many years of study and work among the Torres Strait Islanders to provide a new account of their changing world in the islands and their changing role in Australia.

A Melanesian people, the Torres Strait Islanders' cultural affinities originally lay with the Papuans to the north rather than the Aborigines to the south. But by the logic of European...

The work of renowned Australian anthropologist WEH Stanner is given historical and analytical context in this collection of contributions from some of Australia's leading academics in the field of Aboriginal studies. Educated by pioneers of anthropology, including Bronislaw Malinowski, Stanner undertook work in Australia, Africa, and the Pacific, and helped to inform public understandings of Aboriginal beliefs and religion, as well as federal policy towards them. Demonstrating the continuing relevance of his work in light of current debates on Aboriginal affairs, this examination is a...

For four decades, Jeremy Beckett has shone a light on previously marginalized fields of life. While the many went in search of traditional culture, Beckett was fascinated to learn how people who often lacked wider recognition of their Aboriginality went about their lives. In the process he changed our understandings of those people and highlighted the issues they confronted. He has enriched our appreciation of the diversity of Indigenous identities and experiences, and his knowledge is shared in this book. He was an expert witness leading up to the Mabo decision and has brought Australian...