Changing the acculturation conversation: Indigenous cultural reclamation in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

In constructing this chapter the authors make a claim for an Indigenous perspective that is grounded in decolonisation, the struggle for social justice, cultural reclamation and the development of Indigenous kowledges. This offers the opportunity to view acculturation and the associate research through a different lens. In taking this stance, a critical psychology, Indigenous standpoint approach is adopted, while also acknowledging earlier scholars who have attempted to accommodate Indigenous experiences within acculturation theory and the associated research (see for example, Kvernmo, 2006). This chapter begins with a critique of the acculturation framework and practice in researching the acculturation experience of Indigenous peoples. The chapter then presents findings and application to two contexts: Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. (Chapter 11 covers acculturation research in Australia and New Zealand and would thus be relevant to this chapter.) How acculturation research can be linked to cultural reclamation and reconciliation work is then examined.