1988 Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture
The Meeting of Two Traditions:
Aboriginal Studies in the University - A Murri Perspective
Aboriginal Studies in white academic circles is in its infancy. Given its history, and the restraints arising from the colonial context, it would be surprising if the quality were much better.
The indigenous people of this country are still waiting for colonial scholars to explore and appreciate the significance of the following facts:
- the borders of more than 300 autonomous areas remained unchanged for thousands of years;
- there were no prisons or armies maintained in our society;
- the natural environment was not destroyed or polluted;
- our ancestors did not have any need to colonize neighbouring lands and people.
Full Lecture Notes
Lilla J Watson
Lilla Watson, visual artist, activist and educator, was born in 1940 and grew up on the Dawson River in Queensland. In 1979 she became the first Aboriginal person to be appointed as a tutor by The University of Queensland (UQ). Watson also worked for UQ as a lecturer in Aboriginal Welfare Studies and later served as an appointed member of the University Senate. She was also the Inaugural President of the Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agency, a founding member of the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and Vice President of the Aboriginal and Islander Independent School Board, Acacia Ridge. She has acted as a consultant and a member of working groups, Panels and selection committees for many Government and non-Government organisations.
Venue: Armidale Town Hall
