ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the relationship between insignia and the existence of collective entities. It argues that the claim that the appropriation of Aboriginal art will lead to the destruction of Aboriginal communities contains an important truth. If the relationship between Aboriginal art and identity can be interpreted in terms of an artwork's function as insignia, then the existence of Aboriginal communities and ways of life depend on the appropriate protection for their art. Insignia are essential to a collective entity as a necessary condition for public action as a group. A secret organisation operates as a collective entity, but it does not operate publicly as a collective entity. The insignia that appear to be necessary for the maintenance of cell-based secret organisations are not those insignia that represent the collective as a collective, but the insignia that allow the 'internal' authority structures to be maintained.
