Resources and publications
Title | Author /s | Summary | Date | Tag(s) | Type |
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Aboriginal assets? the impact of major agreements associated with native title in Western Australia | Sarah Prout Quicke, Alfred Michael Dockery, Aileen Hoath | This report, conducted for the Department of Regional Development, addresses the question of how effective agreements arising from native title determinations are at meeting the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples who have achieved, or are pursuing (through registered native title claims), legal recognition as native title holders. The report research is based on a review of relevant academic and ‘grey’ literature as well as case studies of the experiences of three Western Australian Aboriginal native title groups in their efforts to leverage agreements with government and industry to enhance their wellbeing and pursue their aspirations. |
Agreements, ILUA (Indigenous Land Use Agreement), Mining, Native Title Act, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate), Trusts | Report | |
AIATSIS and AIGI survey of gaps and challenges in Indigenous governance research and practical tools - A preliminary list of Indigenous governance research initiatives and practical resources | AIATSIS | In June and July 2014 the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) conducted a survey into gaps in Indigenous governance research and practical tools. The survey, entitled ‘A short survey: mapping Indigenous governance research and resources’, was distributed across a broad network of organisations, institutions and individuals working in the field of Indigenous governance (including select international organisations) in preparation for the Indigenous Governance Development Forum: Mapping Current and Future Research and Resource Needs, held on 29–30 July 2014 at AIATSIS in Canberra. Thirty-eight survey responses were received. This document presents a preliminary list of specific research initiatives and practical tools identified through the survey. The list is a working document. It is by no means exhaustive, and the authors would be grateful to hear about other initiatives that should be included. |
AIATSIS, Governance | Report | |
AIATSIS Submission – Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) Support Strategy | Dr Lisa Strelein, Dr Belinda Burbidge, Ashleigh Blechynden | The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) recommends that the Commonwealth recognise the changing roles of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB/SP) and the infrastructure and support they provide to the PBC sector while offering flexible policies and processes that allow for PBC autonomy and local decision-making. More specifically, this brief responds to the following main points identified in the Terms of Reference (TOR):
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AIATSIS, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
Analysing key characteristics in Indigenous corporate failure: Research Paper | Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations | This research paper aims to better understand factors that contribute to corporate failure in Indigenous corporations. |
NTRB (Native Title Representative Body), PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
Building Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Governance: Report of a Survey and Forum to Map Current and Future Research and Practical Resource Needs | Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies | In Australia today there are an estimated 8000 to 9000 Indigenous organisations, many of which are incorporated under Commonwealth, state or territory legislation. Their governance work is often seen by Indigenous people as nation-building: an expression of self-determination and a way of reconceptualising relations with governments and asserting unique cultural traditions. The effective governance of these organisations is critical to attracting funding, promoting sustainable economic activity and building resilient communities. It is now recognised that Indigenous governance and the governance of governments are intertwined and the latter is receiving greater critical scrutiny. A growing number of research projects, governance building initiatives and practical resources are providing evidence of what works, what doesn’t and why. But the opportunities to evaluate this evidence, consider strategic priorities and build collaborations are limited. On 29–30 July 2014, AIATSIS and AIGI convened an Indigenous governance forum in Canberra to provide such an opportunity. In preparation, a survey of Indigenous governance research, practical resources and future needs was widely circulated. This report provides a synthesis of ideas, comments, issues and possibilities identified through the survey and the forum. |
AIATSIS, Governance, Native Title Act | Report | |
Building Indigenous community governance in Australia: Preliminary research findings | Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research | This is a preliminary research report from the first year of fieldwork conducted by the Indigenous Community Governance Project (ICGP). The Project is exploring the nature of Indigenous community governance in diverse contexts and locations across Australia through a series of diverse case studies—to understand what works, what doesn’t work, and why. A comparative analysis of the Project’s case studies is revealing that governance and decision-making in Indigenous community governance is shaped by multiple historical, cultural and political relationships. Family and governance histories associated with particular communities and sets of regionally-linked communities are central features in community governance dynamics and arrangements. Strengthening Indigenous community governance requires negotiating appropriate contemporary relationships among the different Indigenous people within a region or community, and adapting or creating structures and processes to reflect important relationships. Several dimensions are being identified as being fundamental to building stronger, sustainable governance at the community and regional levels. These are the impact of the wider ‘governance environment’, cultural match and cultural geography, modes of leadership and representation, institutional capacity, organisational design and relationships, representation, decision-making processes, and human resource issues. Capacity development for governance needs to be considered within a systems framework and should be a process that actively strengthens Indigenous decision-making and control over their core institutions, goals and identity, and that enhances cultural match and legitimacy. The report concludes with some emerging issues and implications for policy makers and for Indigenous organisations and their leaders. |
Capacity building, Community development, Decision making, Governance, Leadership, Partnerships | Report | |
Decision-making: Constitutions of Prescribed Bodies Corporate | Ashleigh Blechynden | The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot examines the decision-making processes identified by PBCs within their constitutions including voting processes, quorum requirements and the use of independent directors. |
CATSI Act, Constitutions, Decision making, Native Title Act, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate), Rule book | Report | |
Dispute management: Constitutions of Prescribed Bodies Corporate | Ashleigh Blechynden | The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot looks at the dispute management processes within PBC constitutions, examining the use of NTRBs, independent mediation and elder’s councils to resolve disputes. |
AIATSIS, CATSI Act, Dispute management, Native Title Act, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
Distribution of wealth and growth of PBCs by size | Dr Belinda Burbidge | The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) Native Title Policy Paper series has been developed to share findings from AIATSIS’ native title research projects and the impact of those findings on current policy conversations. This policy paper examines the distribution of wealth and growth of PBCs by size between the years 2010-11 and 2015-16 calculated in terms of net totals and growth rates in the areas of income, assets, equity and staff. |
PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
Good Governance Principles and Guidance for Not-for-Profit Organisations | Australian Institute of Company Directors | The Good Governance Principles and Guidance for Not-for-Profit Organisations (Principles and Guidance) have been created by the Australian Institute of Company Directors as part of their commitment to the not-for-profit (NFP) sector and its directors. The Principles and Guidance: • Are designed to promote and facilitate the crucial conversations and associated activities NFP organisations undertake regularly to achieve good governance. • Are not an attempt to formulate rules on what might constitute good governance practice for NFP organisations, or prescribe related behaviours and specific actions. |
Governance, NFP (Not-For-Profit) | Report | |
Indigenous Community Governance Project: Year Two Research Findings | J. Hunt and D.E Smith | This is the second research report by the Indigenous Community Governance Project (ICGP). The ICGP is exploring the nature of Indigenous community governance in Australia - to understand what works, what doesn’t work, and why. The first report, based on 2005 fieldwork, was published as CAEPR Working Paper No. 31/2006. This report brings together findings from the fieldwork conducted during 2006, based on evidence drawn from case studies of Indigenous governance in action within differing community, geographical, cultural and political settings across the nation. |
CAEPR, Governance | Report | |
Indigenous Governance and Leadership Development Project- Final Report and Evaluation | Northern Institute, CDU | The Northern Territory Government engaged the Northern Institute of Charles Darwin Universityto provide research and support in governance and leadership for members of the Indigenous communities of Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak, Ntaria Ramingining and Wurrumiyanga. The goals of this program were to improve understanding of the contemporary functioning and interactions of Aboriginal and Western governance traditions, and grow capacities and understandings in governance and leadership in remote communities. |
Governance, Leadership | Report | |
Innovating to Succeed Forum | Aboriginal Governance and Management Program (APONT) | In 2017 the APONT Aboriginal Governance & Management Program facilitated a NT-wide forum for senior managers and board members of NT Aboriginal organisations, bringing them together to network and share stories to strengthen and build their capacity in management and governance. This report provides an overview of the presentations from this forum. |
Capacity building, Constitutions, Directors, Governance, Rule book, Staff | Report | |
Maps to Success: Successful strategies in Indigenous Organisations | Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies | This publication is intended for Indigenous communities and organisations, and aimed at promulgating successful management initiatives that could be adopted by other organisations working in similar fields. Indigenous communities can use this handbook as a practical source of ideas and an inspiration for adoption and adaptation. Information is organised in this handbook as a tour through a typical organisation, starting at the front door and moving through the different areas or rooms. Readers can go directly to their main area of interest, such as the accounts department, read straight through or browse. The plans do not represent any particular organisation. At the end of the book, there are brief snapshots of the participating organisations. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to any issue. In fact, many organisations have found different solutions to the same problems. The road to success is always under construction. |
AIATSIS, Commercial development, Community development, Governance, Leadership | Report | |
National picture: Constitutions of Prescribed Bodies Corporate | Ashleigh Blechynden | The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot provides an overview of the main findings from this research and identifies key areas where PBCs have adapted their constitutions from the default rules offered by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC). |
AIATSIS, Constitutions, ORIC, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate), Rule book | Report | |
National picture: growth of Prescribed Bodies Corporate | Belinda Burbidge | The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit's (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot provides an overview of the NTRU's analysis of the publicly available financial data submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), and examines the financial growth and development of PBCs from the financial year 2010-11 to 2015-16. |
AIATSIS, Finance, Funding, ORIC, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
National picture: Small native title corporations – income and costs | Iain G. Johnston, Belinda Burbidge | The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) research snapshot series has been developed to share findings from the Native Title Research Unit’s (NTRU) investigation into the constitutions and financial reports of PBCs. This research forms part of the PBC Capability project which aims to develop a long-term national picture of the PBC sector. This snapshot examines the distribution of wealth and growth of PBCs by size between the years 2010-11 and 2015-16 calculated in terms of net totals and growth rates in the areas of income, assets, equity and staff. |
AIATSIS, Finance, ORIC, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
Native Title Report 2012 | Australian Human Rights Commission | Under the Native Title Act 1993, the Social Justice Commissioner is required to prepare a Native Title Report each year for federal Parliament. Through these reports the Commissioner gives a human rights perspective on native title issues and advocates for practical co-existence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups in using land. The 2012 Native Title report includes a section on Indigneous Governance and a human rights approach to Indigenous governance. |
Carbon farming, Compensation, Governance, Human rights, Indigenous knowledge | Report | |
Native Title Representative Bodies and Prescribed Bodies Corporate: native title in a post determination environment | Lisa Strelein, Tran Tran | AIATSIS embarked on a research and resource project to develop greater understanding of the Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) environment, native title holder aspirations and to bring together resources and develop networks that may be of benefit to them. The first of a series of workshops was held by the Native Title Research Unit in Canberra on 5-6 December 2006. The workshop was attended by Native Title Representative Bodies who have been or will be involved in the design and establishment of PBCs following a determination of native title. Participants also included government representatives from the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Attorney General’s Department who gave presentations on the proposed changes to PBCs as a part of the Australian Government’s broader native title reforms. This report is based on the major issues, themes and discussions that arose during the workshop. In particular, it focuses on measures to improve the effectiveness of PBCs and coincides with the Government’s recognition of the need for resources and support for PBCs to adequately carry out their functions. |
AIATSIS, Funding, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) | Report | |
Organising Aboriginal Governance: Pathways to Self-Determine success in the Northern Territory, Australia | Diane Smith | This report presents a research analysis of evidence on organisational governance models—both incorporated and non-incorporated forms—including several new case studies that have been produced specifically for AGMP. The research on which this report is based has been commissioned by the Aboriginal Governance and Management Program (AGMP), established in 2013 by the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory (APONT) 1 to provide Aboriginal communities, groups and organisations across the Northern Territory (NT) with ongoing support and training to build resilient and effective forms of governance and management. |
Governance, Indigenous knowledge | Report |