Philosopher's Zone What's the time? Indigenous temporalities and the 'Everywhen'
Dec 31, 2025
Bronte Gosper, a Wiradjuri filmmaker and oral historian, discusses her experiences at Columbia University and the complex nature of Indigenous identity. She delves into the challenges of documenting Indigenous histories, emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling. The conversation navigates the impact of colonial notions of time on justice and sovereignty, highlighting how these temporalities clash. Bronte introduces W.E. Stanner's concept of 'everywhen', advocating for a holistic understanding of time that influences current practices and policy.
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Flight Delay Led To Wider Reflections
- Bronte Gosper delayed her interview because of a flight and described challenges studying Indigenous histories in New York.
- She found being among other Indigenous and Black people in the US freeing yet returned to Australia with renewed critique of symbolic treatment of Indigenous issues.
Institutional Time Enforces Control
- Linear clock-time underpins institutional control and marginalises Indigenous peoples and practices.
- Bronte Gosper argues settler schedules (like the ABC studio booking) enforce conformity that erases other temporalities.
The Pressure Of Representing A People
- Indigenous identity is often flattened into a single narrative for non-Indigenous audiences.
- Gosper warns this creates pressure on Indigenous scholars to be sole spokespeople and simplifies diverse experiences.