The Australian Indigenous foodscape from missions to media: food as a tool in the Australian colonial project

Abstract

This dissertation investigates key social, ethical and environmental challenges faced by the developing Australian Indigenous food industry. I highlight areas of concern that have, or will in the future have, an impact on attitudes towards Indigenous food and culture. Ethical strategies are essential for the development of state and federal food security and bio-knowledge policies, food production and hospitality development. Additionally, diverse media and social discourse prioritising Indigenous perspectives is needed to disrupt Australian leadership, and business and consumer attitudes to Indigenous knowledge, spirituality and food. Using critical discourse analysis and a food systems approach, I explore culinary cringe and how narrative representations made by Australian food system actors form a malleable contemporary foodspace. I explore the use of food as a tool in the Australian colonial project focusing on early missions. I utilise benefit-sharing models to address contemporary native foods businesses and provide a more complete assessment of the impact of historical food systems on contemporary foodscapes, the hospitality industry and digital media space. The following questions drive this research: 1. How have past and contemporary Indigenous communities worked with edible flora and fauna as part of cultural and economic practice? 2. How has the shame and stigma perpetrated by colonising forces on Indigenous Australians impacted the development of the Australian foodscape? 3. How is information on, and representation of, Indigenous foods disseminated by media? 4. Is Indigenous food at risk of colonisation rather than the subject of a productive, benefit-sharing relationship? 5. What are the responsibilities of hospitality businesses and consumers in their interactions with Indigenous communities and cultural knowledge when developing business models?