The Palgrave Handbook of Rethinking Colonial Commemorations

The Palgrave Handbook on Rethinking Colonial Commemorations explores global efforts, particularly from Indigenous and Bla(c)k communities, to dismantle colonial commemorations, monuments, and memorials. Across the world, many Indigenous and Bla(c)k communities have taken action to remove, rectify and/or re-imagine colonial commemorations. These efforts have had the support of some non-Indigenous and white community members, but very often they have faced fierce opposition. In spite of this, many have succeeded, and this work aims to acknowledge and honour these efforts. As a current and much-debated issue, this book will present fresh findings and analyses of recent and historical events, including #RhodesMustFall, Anzac Day protests, and the transferral of confederate monuments to museums.

Comprising of chapters written by Indigenous, Bla(c)k and non-Indigenous authors, from a wide variety of locations, backgrounds and purposes, this topical volume is a timely and important contribution to the fields of memory studies, Indigenous Studies, and cultural heritage.

Professor Bronwyn Carlson is an Aboriginal woman who was born and lives in Dharawal Country in NSW, Australia. Bronwyn has been awarded three consecutive Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Indigenous grants in 2013, 2016 & 2019 for research on Aboriginal identity and community. Bronwyn was the recipient of the 2013 prestigious W.E.H. Stanner award administered by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and is the author of The Politics of Identity: Who Counts as Aboriginal Today? Bronwyn is an active member of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) and a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Sociology.

Terri Farrelly is an independent research consultant and an Adjunct Fellow in the Department of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. She completed her doctoral studies in Aboriginal suicide, and her work in this field has been dedicated to promoting the need for Aboriginal suicidologies. Terri has worked extensively with many Australian government and non-government organisations, both Aboriginal and mainstream. As a non-Aboriginal researcher working in Aboriginal research, her focus has been on encouraging mainstream organisations to improve the cultural competence of their service delivery and on supporting the further development of Aboriginal expertise in health and wellbeing research and development.