Aboriginal Economic Development in Urban Areas: A Framework for Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The globalizing and urbanizing contexts of Western societies impact Indigenous communities in a variety of ways. This paper deals with the complex definitions that arise in work with urban Indigenous communities, the historical differences between Indigenous experiences in the United States and Australia, and the interplay between Indigenous cultures and the economy. The final section of the paper draws these themes together through an analysis of Diane Smith's research with the Redfern Aboriginal Corporation in central Sydney, Australia. This comparison of urban Indigenous experiences in Australia and the United States clearly evidences the need for further research in the field of Indigenous economic development in urban areas.