Chairperson’s statement As the newly appointed Chairperson of the AIATSIS Council, it is a privilege to have the first word in the AIATSIS Annual Report for 2016–17 and to reflect on AIATSIS’ achievements and progress during the year. It was the first full year of AIATSIS’ new statutory functions, introduced through amendments to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989 (the AIATSIS Act) in March 2016. It was a year of significant change in AIATSIS’ leadership, and of important commemorations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Manuscripts 63,865 pages 18,514 pages -71% Audio 942 hours 790 hours -16% Pictorial 19,340 items 21,277 items +10% Moving image Film Video 66,666 feet 454 hours 32,100 feet 437 -52% -4% Rate at which material is digitally preserved TARGET EXCEEDED 114,413 items (including 58,641 manuscript pages) 72,562 items (including 64,426 manuscript pages) -37% Audio 4,019 hours 3,251 hours -19% Pictorial 45,232 items 59,826 items +32% Moving image Film Video 329,396 feet 1,090 992,812 feet 583 hours +201% -47% Film masters created 170 240 hours +41% Art objects and artefacts 123 items 647 +426% Discoverability aids produced TARGET EXCEEDED Manuscript-finding aids 23 13 -44% audition sheets 524 664 +27% Audio-finding aids 44 46 +5% Pictorial caption lists 335 208 -35% Moving image audition sheets 55 36 -35% Moving finding aids 10 10 No change Catalogue records — new and upgraded 6,154 7,255 +18% New annotations to catalogue 1,502 694 -54% RATE OF ACCESS TO THE COLLECTION TARGET EXCEEDED
from the ACT and NSW, and organisations that work with young people leaving care, with the aim of teaching them to undertake family research for their Indigenous clients who have been disconnected from their culture. The training was well received and evaluated as excellent. Subsequent to the training, correctional institutions, community service organisations and an interstate child protection agency have expressed interest. National Native Title Conference The National Native Title Conference was held at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre from Monday 5 - Wednesday 7 June 2017 and attended by 884 delegates from across Australia. The conference was co-convened by AIATSIS, North Queensland Land Council, and held on the country of the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba people. This year’s conference celebrated the 25th anniversary since the High Court of Australia’s Mabo decision and the theme was: Looking back, Looking around us and Looking forward. The program featured over 75 presentations and 150 speakers, with over half of speakers being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Our on youth was significantly developed this year. The 2017 Youth Forum brought together young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from around Australia with an interest in native title. Participants shared their stories, drew strength from common experiences and explored the challenges and opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in native title processes in both their communities and nationally. The public program (Days 2 and 3) included a strong on improving the rights and interests, resources and opportunities for Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), such as regional economic coordination and capacity and capability building projects. In the public session, there was a focus on PBC governance and developing economic and commercial opportunities, new advances in cultural heritage and ethical research partnerships. Many sessions explored issues and potential reforms in native title law to strengthen the rights and interests of native title holders through legal mechanisms for land reform, authorisation and decision-making options, agreement-making and compensation. There was a focus on native title rights for fresh water and sea country, with presentations working with the frustration many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples expressed to address new ways forwards for legal rights to and management to water. The Living Off Our Waters online exhibition was launched at the conference (see page 69) and attendees were able to access the online exhibition on tablets at the exhibition The Indigenous Affairs Minister visited the stall, met with project lead Dr Rod
Planned performance and measures AIATSIS will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to tell their stories through various means, including publications, the AIATSIS website, and engagement with the national and international communities. Key outcomes over four years are: Improving knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cultures and heritage. Providing a more nuanced and sophisticated public engagement with the diverse communities. Developing greater awareness of our work with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Publishing timely, relevant, high-quality informed by research, and which contribute to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Performance criteria, measures and targets for 2016–17 were: Performance criteria Measures Targets 2016-17 All Australians about and experience knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, traditions, languages and stories, past and present. Number and value of publications. 10% increase in number of publications and impact of communication and community engagement via media coverage, website and social media reach and activity. 10% increase in website traffic 10% increase in social media community train and develop 10 web publishers and editors Reach and impact of community engagement through membership and partnerships. 8% increase in Indigenous members 5% increase in members 10% increase in partnerships 5% increase in of partnerships 5% increase in value of a public program Our strategies AIATSIS will engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to build knowledge, to share Indigenous culture and heritage, and will provide experiences to all Australians through a public program, digital engagement and access and publishing. Optimise digital platforms for improved online discoverability, access and use of the collection
Professor Michael Dodson AM M Chairperson ACT 17/05/14 16/05/17 3 3 Professor Emeritus Robert Tonkinson M Deputy Chairperson WA 17/05/14 16/05/17 3 3 Professor John Maynard M Member NSW 17/05/14 16/05/17 3 3 Professor Sandy Toussaint F Member WA 11/08/16 16/05/17 3 3 Mr Stephen Kinnane M Member NSW 17/05/17 16/05/21 1 1 Professor Michael McDaniel M Member NSW 17/05/17 16/05/21 1 1 Ms Rachel Perkins F Member NT 17/05/17 16/05/21 1 1 Dr Myfany Turpin F Member NT 17/05/17 16/05/21 1 1 Appointed councillors Ms Jodie Sizer F Member VIC 10/02/15 09/02/19 4 4 Professor Shannon F Member QLD 10/02/15 09/02/19 4 3 Mr Geoffrey Winters M Member NSW 29/09/16 09/02/19 3 3 Ms Rachel Perkins F Member NT 10/02/15 09/02/19 3 3 Ms Donisha Duff F Member QLD 10/02/15 09/02/19 4 3 Organisation structure AIATSIS is a national institution in Canberra. Its main offices are at 1 Lawson Crescent, Acton. AIATSIS also had offices in Childers Street, Canberra City, during 2016–17.
Ms Melissa George (CEO, Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance). Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group is an internal committee chaired by the AIATSIS CEO that is reviewing and developing the successor to the AIATSIS Elevate RAP for 2014–16. Appendix C — Strategic partnerships Network/purpose Partners AIATSIS role NEW PARTNERSHIPS 2016–17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures — develop a series of educational resources for primary schools Cengage Learning Australia Collaborating organisation — knowledge, expertise, collection materials Memorandum of Understanding to support the preservation of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audio-visual collections and promote the significance of the collections Indigenous Remote Communities Association (IRCA) Collaborating organisation — knowledge, expertise, collection materials Memorandum of Understanding to guide mutual cooperation on Australian Indigenous Languages First Languages Australia Collaborating partner CONTINUING PARTNERSHIPS National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN) ARC Strategic Research Initiative Queensland University of Technology (lead), Central Queensland University, Charles Darwin University, Australian National University, University of Newcastle, University of Melbourne, University of Tasmania, University of Technology Sydney, University of Western Australia, University of Wollongong, United Nations University, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, Collaborating organisation Yuraki — History, Politics & Culture NIRAKN node leader
National Congress of First Peoples, NintiOne, South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language Australian National University (lead), University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Western Sydney, ten international institutions Partner organisation 1 chief investigator on AIATSIS staff Lowitja Institute Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (CRCATSIH) (2014–19) Lowitja Institute, Edith Cowan University, James Cook University, Menzies School of Health Research, University of New South Wales, Charles Darwin University, La Trobe University, University of Melbourne, Griffith University, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Department of Health, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Australia, The George Institute for Global Health Essential participant CRC-funded projects Collaborative research projects and contract research 1 board member on AIATSIS staff Various projects throughout the life of the agreement Cooperative Research Network for Indigenous Research Capacity Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (lead), Monash University, Charles Darwin University, ANU Project partner Memorandum of Understanding — collaborative agreement to establish a National Centre for Cultural Competence University of Sydney, Georgetown University (USA) Partner Steering committee coordinator 1 appointment located at AIATSIS Memorandum of Understanding to support knowledge exchange audio-visual preservation standards and best practise, training and capacity building for Indigenous communities and support for Indigenous staff National Film and Sound Archive. This MOU includes agreement to partner with IRCA to deliver the Indigenous Remote Archival Fellowship. Collaborating organisation National Partnership Agreement with Link-Up agencies to provide Indigenous family history Link-Up QLD, Link-Up NSW, Nunkuwarrin, Yunti (SA), Link-Up VIC, NT Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, Yorgum Aboriginal Collaborating organisation, service provider