Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) are a group of people chosen by native title applicants to manage their rights and interests before a decision is made by the court. After a native title decision is made, the PBC becomes a Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (RNTBC). Whilst officially known as RNTBCs, these groups are still called PBCs. These groups have a job under the Native Title Act 1993 (NTA) to hold, protect and manage native title in their specific area. PBCs look after country and culture according to the wished of the members and native title group.
Native title materials created in the process of native title, land claim and cultural heritage work include individual statements, expert reports, genealogies, field notes and other materials. This paper addresses some of the legal issues arising in relation to the transfer of research material from NTRB/SPs to RNTBCs.
After 15 plus years of native title negotiations there was a lot research information held by the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) to be returned to the PBC Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation (RRKAC). YMAC had developed a best practice process for returning research materials. This presentation highlights this process, the experiences of the PBC and the lessons learned.