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Indigenous Australian Studies

Choosing the best resources for your assessment

When searching for resources about First Nations Peoples and topics to use in your studies, the following decision tree can be helpful to ensure you are using appropriately authored resources with relevant content:

"IKAT Decision Tree" by Indigenous Archives Collective; Faulkhead, S; Thorpe, K; Sentance, N; Booker, L; & R. Barrowcliffe is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

 

Is the resource appropriate?

What is the content of your resource? Does it use outdated or racist terminology? Is it a contemporary source, or could it be? Does the source contain content that was collected without informed consent? Does the source centre Indigenous ways of being, doing and knowing?

Who authored your resource? Is the author Indigenous, or is it partnership research supported by community? Does the author cite Indigenous authors? Are there Indigenous authors in the field that you could cite instead? What is the authors relationship to the knowledge?

Once you’ve answered these questions, ask yourself do you still want to use this resource?

If no, consider using a resource that is Indigenous authored and preferences first-person lived experience.

If yes, and the resource has problematic use of Indigenous knowledge, refer to the Indigenous knowledges referencing guide (PDF) for help.

A great resource is one that attributes Indigenous knowledge, is Indigenous authored, and preferences first-person lived experience.

 

Library databases


See all Indigenous Studies databases.

Need some help with understanding how to use Library databases? See our Database Help Guide.

eBook collections


See more tips on finding and using eBooks.

Video collections

Information for researchers

Since the National Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, literature and research outputs by First Nations authors has achieved increasing commercial and critical success. If you're looking for research by First Nations authors, browse these websites containing literature, research, and  researchers:

Referencing First Nations knowledges

For general help with referencing and in-text citations at Charles Sturt, please refer to the tools on the Referencing page of the student portal. For information on referencing First Nations Knowledges, take a look at the CAVAL Indigenous Knowledges Citation Guide, or seek help from the Academic Skills team.

If you are looking for advice about how to use culturally appropriate and respectful language when writing with, for, or about First Nations peoples, check out the Australian Government Style Manual section for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This section of the style manual provides guidance on topics such as:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity
  • Using respectful language
  • Naming protocols
  • Recognition of continuous culture and connections
  • Consultation

Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.Acknowledgement of Country

Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.