The Politics of Place

Heritage designations, while intended to protect cultural landscapes, often redefine Traditional Owners' relationships with their lands and resources in ways that conflict with customary practices. A study of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park reveals how apolitical narratives and state policies reshape historical and social conditions, forcing Traditional Owners to navigate systems incompatible with their custodial responsibilities and knowledge practices. The research combines ethnographic interviews with heritage experts and archival analysis to expose these tensions, highlighting the disconnect between World Heritage frameworks and Indigenous custodial traditions.

Baird, M. F. (2017). The Politics of Place. Critical Theory and the Anthropology of Heritage Landscapes. https://doi.org/10.5744/florida/9780813056562.003.0003