STRONG COUNTRY @ 128 WAKEFIELD ST.: an Indigenist approach to research through creative practice

Abstract

Australian First Nations Scholars confront significant cultural and spiritual conundrums when Indigenous epistemologies intersect with Western knowledge systems. As a saltwater woman born on and of Gadigal and Bidjigal Country enrolled in a Doctor of Creative Arts (DCA), engaging in research practice according to my Indigenous ways of knowing is a condition precedent to observing, honouring and protecting the relational ontologies and axiologies of my Kin and Community (Our Ways). However, institutions erect new walls of coloniality for Indigenous scholarship to scale and overcome as Western knowledge systems continue to be perpetuated as dominant modes of knowledge transmission. Inherently colonising, they are both incognisant yet deprecating of Our Ways. Focusing on my experiences as a First Nations HDR Artist Scholar, this DCA recounts my own experiences in navigating these barriers that caused cultural and spiritual challenges across this HDR. It evidences a multifaceted decolonising approach to research through creative practice that contests dominant epistemic practice. Insight gained from Indigenous Scholars on the critical role of decolonising research practice empowered me to discern how a First Nations Scholar Artist can overcome epistemic conundrums and engage in culturally safe and meaningful research through creative practice. Knowledge discoveries that ensued while creating at 128 Wakefield St Adelaide synergistically realised STRONG COUNTRY Cosmos, the culturally specific Indigenous paradigm around which over two hundred new knowledge artefacts evolved for STRONG COUNTRY, the major creative exhibition for this DCA. These Creations are unique knowledge artefacts as they embody and manifest cultural and spiritual knowledges. As they privilege Our Ways to find common ground with audience through Country, these artefacts are decolonising in nature and affect. The knowledge contributions that evolved through my decolonising research practice assert Our Ways as a legitimate approach in this HDR, claim sovereign rights over Indigenous knowledges and practices and privilege my Indigenous Scholarly voice. This DCA offers institutions strategic pathways to decolonise HDR to ensure that First Nations students experience culturally enriching and safe research practice. More generally, this DCA stands in solidarity with other Indigenous Scholars’ knowledge contributions that resist and challenge the colonising force inherent.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Di Dickenson (Supervisor)