Referenced reflections to my wurrumay (son): awareness of the impact of colonisation

Abstract

Yaama (Hello)! This article will take you on a journey, through my eyes and my experiences. I hope you are ready to hear, explore and come to understand the context that I am positioned within as a Gamilaroi yinarr (woman) from Australia. I acknowledge Elders, past, present and future. For they have forged the way before us, and they have inspired me to articulate my experiences. In this article I share my Indigenous voice within the academic space with the aim to draw attention to the issue of colonisation and enable cross-cultural understanding. Throughout this article, I have utilised my voice to reference my reflections on the challenges related to colonisation in two distinct formats: an open letter to my sons (as they are my future) and a paper for you, the reader. Within this space, I acknowledge my accountability to myself as a Gamilaroi yinarr, guni (mother) and researcher.

Keywords

Indigenous colonisation decolonisation reflections identity critical paradigm

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