The Politics of Makarrata: Understanding Indigenous–Settler Relations in Australia

The concept of 'Makarrata' holds significant potential to reshape Indigenous–settler relations in Australia, but its effectiveness depends on avoiding appropriation by settler discourses. The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart proposed a Makarrata Commission to facilitate truth-telling and agreement-making, marking a notable shift toward consensus among Indigenous voices. This study analyzes how Makarrata could either foster substantive change or perpetuate contestation if misused in reconciliation narratives. By applying comparative political theory—incorporating both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives—the research demonstrates that genuine engagement with Aboriginal concepts is critical to realizing its transformative potential.

Little, A. (2019). The Politics of Makarrata: Understanding Indigenous–Settler Relations in Australia. Political Theory, 48(1), 30–56. https://doi.org/10.1177/0090591719849023