Our Vision
Worldwide knowledge and understanding of
Australian Indigenous cultures, past and present.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is the world’s premier institution for information and research about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Institute undertakes and encourages scholarly, ethical community-based research, holds a priceless collection of films, photographs, video and audio recordings and the world’s largest collections of printed and other resource materials for Indigenous Studies, and has its own publishing house.
Its activities affirm and raise awareness among all Australians, and people of other nations, of the richness and diversity of Australian Indigenous cultures and histories.
The Acton Peninsula in Canberra. AIATSIS is the red-sided building
towards the rear of the photo. Photo courtesy of Donna Maritz.
AIATSIS is a Commonwealth statutory authority within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) portfolio.
It is located on the Acton Peninsula in Canberra, on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people.
Functions
The functions of the Institute are:
• to undertake and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies;
• to publish the results of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and to assist in the publication of the results of such studies;
• to conduct research in fields relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and to encourage other persons or bodies to conduct such research;
• to assist in training persons, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as research workers in fields relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies;
• to establish and maintain a cultural resource collection consisting of materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies; and
• to encourage understanding, in the general community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies.