Resources and publications

This report marks the first major review of ‘connection’ in native title claims—central to native title determinations—since the introduction of the Native Title Act. The report also examines authorisation of persons bringing native title claims and joinder of parties, and includes 30 recommendations for reform.

The Indigenous Facilitation and Mediation Project (‘IFaMP’ or ‘the Project’), located in the Native Title Research Unit at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, commenced in July 2003 and completed its third and final year in June 2006. The Project supported best practice approaches to Indigenous decision-making and conflict management, particularly in relation to the Native Title Act 1993, which emphasises agreement-making through non-adversarial approaches, such as mediation, facilitation and negotiation. This final report of the AIATSIS Indigenous Facilitation and Mediation Project provides a detailed discussion of the project, its findings and best practice approaches.

The Mornington Island Restorative Justice (MIRJ) Project has worked with families to establish a community-based alternative dispute resolution (mediation or peacemaking) service inclusive of Island culture and conforming to the requirements of the criminal justice system.

Sharing Success Governance Workbook is a valuable resource introducing Indigenous community governance concepts, examples of good practices, signs of problems and diagnostic checklists used for a Reconciliation Australia Sharing Success Indigenous governance workshop held in September 2007 in Mt Isa, Queensland. The content of the workbook is drawn from the findings of the Indigenous Community Governance Research Project and analysis of all the Indigenous Governance Award applications. This workbook is an example of one of the very practical tools for Indigenous communities and organisations that has been developed from the Indigenous Community Governance research. 

The aim of Warra is to make the collaborative work of producing Indigenous language resources easier for all involved. 

The research informing this paper engaged directly with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their experiences of native title. This paper reveals a number of emerging issues for the native title sector and related fields such as governance, land and water management, and the wider community sector. Key insights in this paper include the evolving ways in which connections to country and culture are being experienced; the importance of active and ongoing support and mentorship; and the need for improved access to native title knowledge and information.