Resources and publications

Displaying 1 to 20 of 103 results.
Title Author /s Summary Date Tag(s) Type
A digital approach: Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) case study report Christiane Keller, Ophelia Rubinich, Helen Wrigth and Jasmine Tearle

This report provides insights into a digital approach to returning native title materials using digital forensic analysis. Great volumes of hardcopy and digital materials can be interrogated with a keyword search once ingested into a NUIX database to retrieve relevant documents. It provides step-by step diagrams and the ETNTAC Native Title Materials Policy and Procedure.

Database, Heritage, Policies, Technology Report
A Toolkit for Developing Community-based Dispute Resolution Processes in First Nations Communities Canada Human Rights Commission

The Canadian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) created this toolkit to offer assistance to First Nations governments that want to address discrimination complaints in their communities using a community-based dispute resolution process.

Capacity building, Dispute management, Leadership Report
A Way Forward - Final report into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia

This report is the final report resulting from the federal parliamentary inquiry into the destruction of the Juukan Gorge Aboriginal heritage sites by Rio Tinto on 24 May 2020. This tragic event, and the national condemnation of the actions of Rio Tinto, has sparked action to address the legislative failings that allowed the destruction of the Juukan Gorge sites–and similar sites around the nation. The Juukan Gorge disaster is just one example of countless instances where cultural heritage has been the victim of the drive for development and commercial gain. The report makes a number of recommendations aimed at preventing future destruction.

 

Caring for Country, Culture, Heritage, Mining Report
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
Aboriginal land claims in the Northern Territory: Documenting and preserving the records and memories - Community Report Toni Bauman, David Parsons, Ophelia Rubinich, Dr Christiane Keller

This report shows the development of a user-friendly ‘first glance’ guide and template that will facilitate a broad assessment of an archive, particularly in the absence of the collection holder and provides the basis for discussions about deposits, returns and the legal status of particular documents.

AIATSIS, Community development, Data sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge, Native title materials, Research Report
Aboriginal land claims in the Northern Territory: Documenting and preserving the records and memories - Report of a Focus Group Meeting Toni Bauman, David Parsons

This report shows the development of a user-friendly ‘first glance’ guide and template that will facilitate a broad assessment of an archive, particularly in the absence of the collection holder and provides the basis for discussions about deposits, returns and the legal status of particular documents.

AIATSIS, Data sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge, Legal, Native title materials, Research 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 to review of the CATSI Act: Phase two Dr Lisa Strelein, Ophelia Rubinich, Casey Millward

Since 2016, AIATSIS has contributed to a number of reviews of the CATSI Act including the Technical Review of the CATSI Act (2017) and CATSI Review Phase 1 (2020). Throughout this report, the AIATSIS researchers refer to the AIATSIS submissions for both of these reviews.

AIATSIS, CATSI Act, Compliance, Policies, Rule book 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):

  1. Better engagement between PBCs and governments
  2. More effective, transparent and coordinated funding for PBCs
  3. Additional support for PBCs (other than providing direct funding)
  4. Options for legislative and institutional role reform to support an effective and accountable native title system
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
Angkety map: Digital resources report First Language Australia

This report aims to provide an overview of the current directions, review recent approaches, identify major issues and propose strategies to mitigate the risks in using digital resources for Indigenous language work. 

Report
Assessment of the social outcomes of the WOC program Urbis Pty Ltd

This report documents findings from research undertaken by Urbis to assess the social outcomes of Working on Country (WoC).
WoC is an Australian Government program that provides employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in regional and remote Australia to undertake natural resource management (NRM) work that aligns with Australian Government and local community environmental and cultural priorities. The program aims to employ and train over 690 rangers by June 2013, with this target growing to 730 rangers by June 2016.

Caring for Country, Community development, Environment, Land and sea management Report
Barni-Wardimantha Awara (Don’t Spoil the Country) – Yanyuwa Sea Country Plan Dr John Bradley, Yanyuwa Families

The Yanyuwa people of the south-west Gulf of Carpentaria, have developed the Yanyuwa Sea Country Plan to explain the relationship between Yanyuwa people and our Sea Country; explain Yanyuwa people's concerns about current and future management of our Sea Country; set out objectives, strategies and actions to address Yanyuwa concerns and aspirations about sea country management; and propose options for working with government agencies, industry and other stakeholders to achieve our objectives, strategies and actions. 

Land and sea management, Land and water, Land rights, Water rights 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
CATSI Act review report draft National Indigenous Australians Agency

This comprehensive review of the CATSI Act, built on a series of reviews undertaken in recent years. Responding to feedback from stakeholders for comprehensive consideration of the ongoing role of the CATSI Act, this review would consider whether the CATSI Act is achieving its objects, particularly as a special measure under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Capacity building, CATSI Act, PBC Regulations Report
CATSI Act Review: Phase 1 summary report National Indigenous Australians Agency

This report details the findings from the survey available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website for phase one of the CATSI Act review.

Capacity building, CATSI Act, PBC Regulations Report
Closing the Gap report Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, National Indigenous Australians Agency

This Closing the Gap report is an opportunity to reflect on a decade’s efforts under an ambitious framework aimed at improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Capacity building, Commercial development, Community development, Education, Health, Indigenous knowledge Report
Community, identity, wellbeing: The report of the Second National Indigenous Languages Survey AIATSIS, Indigenous Languages Support

The report of the Second National Indigenous Languages Survey (NILS2) offers key insights for governments and communities into the current situation of Australian languages, how they are being supported and how best to continue this support. 

Language Report
Connection to Country: Review of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (ALRC Report 126) Australian Law Reform Commission

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.

Community development, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous law, Native Title Act, Resolution Report