Relational Growing: “Reimagining Contemporary Aboriginal Agriculture in Colonialized Cityscapes” - Dominique Chen

Book Chapter in Urban Natures: Living the More Than Human City

Abstract:

Australian urban environments have a long colonial history as sites of marginalisation, control and assimilation of Indigenous people—a legacy of disenfranchisement closely aligned with the theft of traditional lands and the erasure of traditional food systems and ecologies. Despite approximately 81% of the Indigenous population in Australia living in urban environments, they remain physically and ideologically colonised spaces that provide significant challenges for the re-emplacement of autonomous, grass roots, cultural food growing systems and practices. This chapter provides an Indigenous perspective on the relevant social, political and cultural contexts of the urban environment, pertinent to contemporary, urban Aboriginal food growing. With reference to two practice-led case studies, it will look to the potential of a creative relational practice to disrupt or navigate colonial systems, and create opportunities for cultural exchange and renewal, place-based connection, and the development of resistant and supportive Indigenous food-growing

You can purchase the book at https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/EdwardsUrban or download the chapter at https://www.walkingstory.com.au/s/Relational-Growing_Chapter-10_Dominique-Chen_2023.pdf