Resources and publications

Displaying 1 to 20 of 72 results.
Title Author /s Summary Date Sort descending Tag(s) Type
Getting started Indigenous Governance Toolkit

The topic 'Getting started' from the Indigenous Governance Toolkit has four sections,

  1. Getting started on building your governance
  2. Assessing your governance
  3. Mapping your community for governance
  4. Case studies
Governance, Reporting, Rule book Information Sheet
Researching Australian Indigenous Governance: A Methodological and Conceptual Framework Diane Smith

This paper sets out the methodological and conceptual framework for the Indigenous Community Governance (ICG) Project on Understanding, Building and Sustaining Effective Governance in Rural, Remote and Urban Indigenous Communities. The paper describes the Project’s research aims, questions, and techniques; explores key concepts; and discusses the ethnographic case-study and comparative approaches which form the core components of the methodological framework.

As an applied research project, the paper also considers the methodological issues inherent in participatory research, and for the dissemination and application of research findings within Indigenous and policy arenas. The framework draws on the multi-disciplinary expertise of the project team in areas such as anthropology, political science, demography, policy and legal studies, linguistics, and community development.

CAEPR, Governance Article / paper
Ten key messages from the preliminary findings of the Indigenous Community Governance Project, 2005 Janet Hunt, Diane Smith

The Indigenous Community Governance Project (ICGP) is an Australian Research Council Linkage Project between the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) at the Australian National University, and Reconciliation Australia (RA). The Project is exploring the nature of Indigenous community governance in diverse contexts and locations across Australia through a series of case studies—to understand what works, what doesn’t work, and why.

This document presents some key messages emerging from a summary of the comparative analysis of the Project’s 11 current Indigenous case studies, after the first phase of a longer study.

CAEPR, Governance 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
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
Indigenous partnerships in protected area management in Australia: three case studies Toni Bauman, Dr Dermot Smyth

AIATSIS completed three case studies in the joint management of conservation and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in partnership with the Australian Collaboration, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Poola Foundation (Tom Kantor Fund), as part of the AIATSIS 'Success in Aboriginal Organisations' Project.

Within this project, Ms Toni Bauman completed a case study of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. Mr Dermot Smyth carried out two case studies on the Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area and the Booderee National Park in the ACT.

AIATSIS, Environment, IPA (Indigenous Protected Areas), Joint Management Book
Native title and governance: The emerging corporate sector prescribed for Native Title holders Jessica Weir

This paper discusses how the governance potential of PBCs is challenged by the PBC governance context.

Commercial development, Governance, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) Article / paper
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
Contested Governance: Culture, power and institutions in Indigenous Australia Janet Hunt, Diane Smith, Stephanie Garling, Will Sanders (eds)

This collection of papers examines the dilemmas and challenges involved in the Indigenous struggle for the development and recognition of systems of governance that they recognise as both legitimate and effective.

CAEPR, Governance, Indigenous knowledge, Leadership Book
Strategic Plan for Mandingalbay Yidinji Country Mandingalbay Yidinji people

This strategic plan sets out our concerns and proposals regarding the use, management and governance of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country, with a particular focus on the protected areas. 

Heritage, IPA (Indigenous Protected Areas), Land and sea management Report
Sharing Success Workshop and Workbook (Mt Isa) Reconciliation Australia

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. 

Governance, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) Report
Indigenous Protected Areas - Overview Parks Australia

Overview of IPAs from Parks Australia

Indigenous knowledge, IPA (Indigenous Protected Areas), Land and sea management Video
Our Country Our Way: Guidelines for Australian Indigenous Protected Area Management Plans R Hill, F Walsh, J Davies, M Sandford

Our Country Our Way has been written for the managers of IPAs, IPA and Co-Management Consultation Projects, and their staff. Their primary aim is to provide practical guidance about how to achieve Management Plans that recognise the connections between Indigenous people, country, traditional law and culture, while also meeting national and international standards for protected area management. In so doing, this document invites planners and others to enter an Indigenous conceptual terrain and consider some highly innovative and at times challenging intercultural adaptations.

The Guidelines draw on examples from IPAs and Co-Management Consultation Projects around Australia to illustrate the unique cultural settings and vibrant Indigenous  management strategies on country. 

Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous law, IPA (Indigenous Protected Areas), Land and sea management Report
Karajarri: A West Kimberley Experience in Managing Native Title Jessica Weir

In 2002 and 2004 Karajarri had their native title rights and interests recognised to over 31,000 square kilometres of land in the West Kimberley, south of Broome. This is an area about half the size of Tasmania. Here there are pastoral stations, mining interests, coastal and desert lands, and the large Aboriginal community of Bidyadanga. Karajarri had one of the first native title determinations to be recognised in the Kimberley and had the first native title application in which applicants were represented exclusively by the Kimberley Land Council.

Agreements, AIATSIS, Governance, Land and sea management Article / paper
PBCs Working in Two Worlds Aurora

The first document sets out some background information about what a lawyer is and their duty to you as a client. The second document outlines some questions that you may like to ask a lawyer when you are seeking advice on native title matters.

Governance, Government, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous law, Legal, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) Website
Joint management of protected areas in Australia: native title and other pathways towards a community of practice Toni Bauman, Claire Stacey, Gabrielle Lauder

On 3 and 4 April 2012, the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS) and the Native Title Research Unit (NTRU) at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) convened a workshop of state, territory and Commonwealth government staff working in joint management and native title at the Alice Springs Desert Park. The workshop was titled Joint Management of Protected Areas in Australia: Native Title and Other Pathways towards a Community of Practice.

This report captures the workshop where government staff working in joint management shared information about their approach and identified practical issues in developing a community of practice.

 

AIATSIS, Community development, IPA (Indigenous Protected Areas), Joint Management 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
Statistics for Community Governance: The Yawuru Indigenous Population Survey of Broome John Taylor, Bruce Doran, Maria Parriman, Eunice Yu

This paper presents a case study of an exercise in Aboriginal community governance. It sets out the background events that led the Yawuru Native Title Holders Aboriginal Corporation to secure information for its own needs as an act of self-determination and essential governance, and it presents some of the key findings from that exercise

CAEPR, Community development, Data sovereignty, Governance, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate), Strategic planning Article / paper
Legal context for PBC decision making Aurora

Information sheet about decision-making for PBCs.

Decision making, Governance, Legal, Meetings, PBCs (Prescribed Body / Bodies Corporate) Information Sheet
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the constitution: Report of the Expert Panel Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians

The Expert Panel was tasked to report to the Government on possible options for constitutional change to give effect to indigenous constitutional recognition, including advice as to the level of support from Indigenous people and the broader community for these options. This executive summary sets out the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations.

Governance, Policies, Rule book Report