Encounters With Indigeneity: Writing About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples – By Jeremy Beckett

Abstract

[Extract] This book provides a valuable insight into the corpus of Jeremy Beckett's thinking and writing about Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander forms of self-hood, representation, citizenship, and expressions of ‘indigeneity’ from the late 1950s into the 21st century. The papers are not presented chronologically, although there is an obvious sequence. The first half of the book concerns his work with Aboriginal people in western NSW, and the second half contains his main writings on Torres Strait Island people. The final two chapters bring us full circle in their exploration of Aboriginal citizenship, and finally, of the constructions and practices of indigeneity on the global stage. This last chapter nicely book-ends the text, complementing Beckett's Introduction at the beginning.