Dr Lisa Strelein  lisa.strelein@aiatsis.gov.au

Native Title Research Unit, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

Missed Meanings: The language of sovereignty in the Treaty debate

This paper examines the language of the treaty debate and the tension that arises in relation to concepts of Indigenous sovereignty and nationhood.  The paper outlines the sources of non-Indigenous legal and political theory which prevent the recognition of Indigenous peoples claims to self-government in relation, not only to the treaty debate, but also in the development of native title.

Dr Lisa Strelein is a Research Fellow and Manager of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies’ Native Title Research Unit.  Dr Strelein completed her undergraduate degrees in Law and Commerce at Murdoch University in 1994 and completed a PhD, examining Indigenous sovereignty and the common law, at the Australian National University in 1998.  Dr Strelein has written extensively on native title and Indigenous sovereignty issues including comparative and international law contexts.