An Epistemology of Belongingness - by Hope O'Chin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The intent of this book focuses on Australia's First Nations truth, voice, recognition, diversity, and respect. Hope O'Chin explains that knowledge about Australian First Nations culture and learning can be seen through new conceptual lens, which she refers to as an Ontology of Dreaming Hope for Australians. The book proposes to move from ontological propositions embedded in pedagogies and methodologies that center on the relevance of Indigenous epistemes and ways of doing. O'Chin offers a conceptual framing for engaging with Indigenous peoples, and forming communities of belongingness and relationality. She offers suggestions for ways in which art and education can act as 'healing' and a way forward towards a more inclusive civil society. Reflexive practice, ethnographic principles, and action research is described in a way that methodologies provide an understanding of a sense of Belonging. O'Chin argues that theoretical research, art, and educational practice can addto the value of determining a strategy of Indigenous art investment within Australia, and to address how art and education can be used to validate contemporary expression of Aboriginality within contemporary Australian society. Ultimately, the book is about Indigenous strengths and what Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing can offer, and how one might go about honouring and working in this way respectfully.

From the Back Cover

The intent of this book focuses on Australia's First Nations truth, voice, recognition, diversity, and respect. Hope O'Chin explains that knowledge about Australian First Nations culture and learning can be seen through new conceptual lens, which she refers to as an Ontology of Dreaming Hope for Australians. The book proposes to move from ontological propositions embedded in pedagogies and methodologies that center on the relevance of Indigenous epistemes and ways of doing. O'Chin offers a conceptual framing for engaging with Indigenous peoples, and forming communities of belongingness and relationality. She offers suggestions for ways in which art and education can act as 'healing' and a way forward towards a more inclusive civil society. Reflexive practice, ethnographic principles, and action research is described in a way that methodologies provide an understanding of a sense of Belonging. O'Chin argues that theoretical research, art, and educational practice can addto the value of determining a strategy of Indigenous art investment within Australia, and to address how art and education can be used to validate contemporary expression of Aboriginality within contemporary Australian society. Ultimately, the book is about Indigenous strengths and what Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing can offer, and how one might go about honouring and working in this way respectfully.

Hope O'Chin is a Kabi-Kabi, Wakka-Wakka, Koa, Gugu-Yalanji elder, educator, and artist. She obtained her PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. She has worked within Government and the Private Sector, and, within the Education Sector as a Teacher, Executive Administrator, Tutor, Lecturer, and Senior Lecturer. As an artist, Hope has more than 45 exhibitions.

Review Quotes

"O'Chin's contribution is framed as an Indigenous intervention. ... O'Chin's book highlights just how dynamic Indigenous philosophical thinking is today. They say that philosophy goes hand in hand with critique, but they both can pull thinking in different ways and down different paths. O'Chin's work speaks to what is an important moment in contemporary Indigenous philosophical thinking in this sense. The directions our future can take are as multiple as our thoughts and the actions they inspire." (Max Brierty, JASAL - Journal of the Association for the Study of Australian Literature, Vol. 25 (1-2), 2025)

About the Author

Hope O'Chin is a Kabi-Kabi, Wakka-Wakka, Koa, Gugu-Yalanji elder, educator, and artist. She obtained her PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. She has worked within Government and the Private Sector, and, within the Education Sector as a Teacher, Executive Administrator, Tutor, Lecturer, and Senior Lecturer. As an artist, Hope has more than 45 exhibitions.