Indigenous populations, 'mixed' discourses and identities

Since the 1996 Census considerable discussion has arisen concerning the composition and character of Indigenous population growth. The paper examines some of the features of this debate and analyses terminologies employed in key texts in order to tease out patterns in the representation of Indigenous demographic change and its implications for identity. The paper finds that terminology used to describe Indigenous self-identification is often inappropriate; notions underlying such descriptions are sometimes inadequate; identity and identification have been mistakenly conflated; and notions of identity are undertheorised. It positions discussion of ‘unexplained growth’ in the context of history, specifically that of the Stolen Generations. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s