Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, Dean of Indigenous Research and Education at Charles Darwin University (CDU), will open the University’s free public lecture series on Tuesday, May 6 by exploring the meaning of Aboriginal culture and identity.
She has called for an opening of the debate on the usage of terms such as “urban” and “traditional” and of “Indigenous descent” to define and categorise Aboriginal Australians.
“Not only are these categories inappropriate, they serve to divide us,” Professor Bin-Sallik said.
This is indeed a controversial perspective, and as such, is rarely discussed in an open forum.
Professor Bin-Sallik says she anticipates a lively discussion, and hopes to start the “debate we have to have”.
Bin-Sallik will retire from CDU this year and this will be her final lecture before retirement.
Entry to all lectures in the series is free. The lecture will start at 6pm at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Light refreshments will be served afterwards, concluding at 8pm.
Media are welcome to attend. Further information can be found on: www.cdu.edu.au.