Indigenous Voices at Work

Abstract

‘Indigenous Voices at Work’ surveys workplace issues that have faced Indigenous people in the common law countries of New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Canada. Colonisation deprived many Indigenous people of their land, and set them on the road to social and economic marginalisation. Historically, they lacked much of a voice because of their location away from urban centres, their concentration in the primary sector, and their low numbers in the industrialised workforce. They were sometimes regarded as potential competitors by settler workers; excluded from employment due to a lack of education, skills, and training; and were victims of racism and discrimination. In recent times, unions have become more attentive, whether it is to advance their social justice agendas or to address declining union densities. There are, however, some areas of tension between worker and Indigenous voice, as Indigenous values do not always sit comfortably alongside contemporary workers’ rights.