How Indigenous cultural heritage is being managed in Australia

With 20 years’ involvement in archaeology and Indigenous cultural heritage, Sam Juparulla Wickman presents his unique view (as Aboriginal archaeologist, artist and Lore man) on how Australian Indigenous cultural heritage is being managed today.

With education the key to his journey, Sam left Alice Springs, finished high school and completed a trade and later an honours degree in archaeology and anthropology. As an archaeologist and academic he has observed and participated in the development of archaeology and cultural heritage.

This talk reflects on Indigenous involvement in these fields, and examines the extent to which real control exists for Aboriginal people today in protecting our sites. The paper is presented from Sam's own cultural landscape, a context based on who he is, where he is from and how he sees himself, his Indigenous colleagues and the broader archaeological community: a wati's perspective.