Media Releases


 

 

May 2012

 

9 May 2012 - AIATSIS welcomes $6.4m two-year investment for priceless collection

Professor Mick Dodson AM - the Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) - has welcomed a $6.4m two-year investment to continue the Institute’s urgent digital preservation of its priceless audio-visual archives.

1 May 2012 - Nyungar youth excited to learn their traditional language

Nyungar elder and Australian Research Council Fellow at Curtin University, Associate Professor Len Collard is encouraged by the growing interest shown by many young people in the South West of Australia to learn their traditional language.


April 2012

 

27 April 2012 - Record number of speakers gather for native title discussions

Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference – the annual Native Title Conference - has this year attracted a record 60 speakers addressing a wide-range of native title related topics under the overall theme Echoes of Mabo: Honour and Determination. [PDF version]

27 April 2012 - Linking up with vital family history research skills

Clients of the various Link-Up services around Australia will be the beneficiaries of a week-long training program run in Canberra recently by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). [PDF version]

27 April 2012 - AIATSIS mourns passing of Torres Strait leader and rights advocate

The Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Professor Mick Dodson AM, today expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Torres Strait Islander leader and advocate George Mye MBE OAM. [PDF version]

24 April 2012 - Recording of historic WWII capture saved for future generations

A rare audio recording describing how an Aboriginal man captured – and disarmed – the first Japanese serviceman taken as a POW on Australian soil will join other unique and unpublished field recordings preserved and saved for future generations. [PDF version]

3 April 2012 - Vale Jimmy Little: gentle voice, gentle manner and gentle man

The Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Professor Mick Dodson AM, today expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Australian music icon Jimmy Little AO. [PDF version]

2 April 2012 - Breath of Life into language revitalization.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (AIATSIS’s) newly created Centre for Australian Languages will explore the possibility of piloting the trail blazing native American language revitalization program “Breath of Life”. [PDF version]


March 2012

 

22 March 2012 - Registrations open for 2012 National Native Title Conference

Registrations for the 2012 National Native Title Conference in Townsville in early June are now open. Convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the North Queensland Land Council (NQLC), the Conference will be held at Townsville’s Entertainment and Convention Centre from 4-6 June. [PDF version]

22 March 2012 - Leading experts gather for AIATSIS language seminars

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) will host a major seminar on Indigenous language protection and promotion – featuring Professor Emerita Leanne Hinton - one of the world’s leading experts on language revitalisation – in Canberra next week. [PDF version]

19 March 2012 - AIATSIS assists in creation of first comprehensive Kaytetye dictionary

The recent publication of the first comprehensive Kaytetye to English dictionary is another example highlighting the extensive archive of cultural material stored in the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra. [PDF version]

15 March 2012 - AIATSIS Council raises funding issues with Minister

At its first meeting with the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research - Senator the Hon Chris Evans MP - the AIATSIS Council highlighted a number of funding issues currently facing the Institute. [PDF version]

15 March 2012 - AIATSIS expertise recognised by pivotal role in endangered language work

A newly established Centre for Australian Languages at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra will play a pivotal role in the on-going maintenance and recording of Australia’s Indigenous languages. [PDF version]

15 March 2012 - Digitised Mission journals a priceless resource

A new website highlighting life and experiences on missions and reserves around Australia for almost six decades is a priceless resource for Indigenous Australians searching their family histories. [PDF version]

8 March 2012 - AIATSIS ‘family’ gathers to Celebrates International Women’s Day

AIATSIS Staff and over 100 invited guests - the AIATSIS family - gathered at the Institute in Canberra on Thursday 8 March to celebrate and mark International Women’s Day. [PDF version]

5 March 2012 - Institute’s historic images help commemorate electoral milestone

Images sourced from the world's premier collection of Indigenous photographs have played a part in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Indigenous right to vote. [PDF version]

5 March 2012 - Poster celebrates International Women’s Day 2012

A 60 year old image of two Aboriginal girls pictured around the Central Australian community of Areyonga is the stunning feature of an International Women’s Day poster that is set to become an annual tradition. [PDF version]

 


February 2012

 

16 February 2012 - Deadline looms for papers for 2012 National Native Title Conference

Interested parties have until next Monday (20th February 2012) to submit proposals for papers, discussion panels and talking circles at this years National Native Title Conference to be held in Townsville in June. [PDF version]

8 February 2012 - Exploring pathways that may save endangered languages

A world renowned linguist and expert on endangered languages, Israel’s Professor Michael Katz will explore the relationship between grammatical divisions in languages and their potential to help save endangered languages at a Canberra seminar early next week. [PDF version]


January 2012

 

25 January 2012 - AIATSIS suspends funding for research grants in 2012

It is with great reluctance that the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) will not invite applications for Research funding as part of its discretionary grants program. [PDF version]

24 January 2012 - Aboriginal Embassy sign highlights Institute’s diverse and priceless collection

A 40-year old hand painted sign from the Aboriginal Embassy has gone on display in Canberra as part of celebrations later this week marking the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy. [PDF version]


December 2011


November 2011

 

20 October 2011 - AIATSIS mourns the passing of NT Aboriginal rock art expert

The world’s leading research, collecting and publishing institution in the field o fAustralian Indigenous studies has paid tribute to Professor George ChaloupkaOAM FAHA - a leading expert on Aboriginal rock art in the Northern Territory- who passed away on earlier this week after a long illness. [PDF version]


October 2011

 

27 October 2011 - Ten year deadline to save priceless Indigenous audiovisual materials

The race to preserve priceless Audiovisual recordings of the songs, language and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples becomes more urgent ever year for Australia’s premier Indigenous research, publishing and collection agency - the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). [PDF version]


September 2011

 

Friday 23 September 2011 - Indigenous organisations mourn the passing of a ‘local hero’

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across the ACT will gather at Narrabundah this morning to pay tribute to Dr Peter Sharp AM - the Medical Director of the local Indigenous health service - who passed away earlier this week after a short battle with cancer aged 52. [PDF version]

19 September 2011 - On for young and old: Conference explores ways to connect Indigenous generations

Over 400 conference delegates will gather in Canberra this morning to discuss and explore a variety of ways of connecting the younger and older generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. [PDF version]

9 September 2011 - AIATSIS joins fight to improve Indigenous Literacy

AIATSIS recently teamed up with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to help raise vital funds in the fight to improve the literacy levels of Indigenous Australians. [PDF version]

 


August 2011

 

15 August 2011 - Legends – The AFL Indigenous Team of the Century

Current Aboriginal AFL players joined past champions at the home of AFLon Monday 15 August to officially launch a ground breaking Aboriginal Studies Press publication on the AFL’s Indigenous Team of the Century. [PDF version]


July 2011

 

05 July 2011 - Institute seeks help in tracking down missing NAIDOC Posters

Australia’s leading Indigenous archive has begun a nationwide search for three rare posters promoting NAIDOC Week celebrations dating back over 40 years ago. [PDF version]

04 July 2011 - Powerful manuscript on Aboriginal child sexual assault wins esteemed award

A brave and powerful manuscript highlighting the prevalence of child sexual abuse in some Aboriginal communities has been named as the winner of this year’s esteemed Stanner Award. [PDF version]


June 2011

 

24 June 2011 - Annual Indigenous festival axed as budget cut hits home

Funding constraints have forced the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to cancel Canberra’s premier NAIDOC Week event – NAIDOC on the Peninsula - scheduled for the first Sunday in July. [PDF version]

20 June 2011 - Donations from Canberra families boost AIATSIS collection

Recent generous donations by two Canberra families of archival recordings and five valuable paintings are a priceless addition to world’s largest collection of materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles and cultures. [PDF version]

7 June 2011 - ‘Father of Australian archaeology’ leads symposium to mark unique anniversary

Emeritus Professor John Mulvaney - often referred to as the ‘father of Australian archaeology - will deliver the keynote address at a special symposium in Canberra tomorrow to mark the 50th anniversary of a ground breaking 1961 Conference on Aboriginal Studies. [PDF version]

3 June 2011 - Future leaders want say on taking native title forward

Australia’s recently appointed Youth Representative to the United Nations has called for an open conversation and dialogue between Indigenous youth and older generations about native title and rights. [PDF version]

3 June 2011 - Arabena becomes first Meriam woman to deliver prestigious Mabo Lecture

Nineteen years on from the hallmark determination, Mabo Day was commemorated at the 2011 National Native Title Conference through its annual Mabo Lecture- which for the first time was delivered by a Meriam woman, Dr Kerry Arabena. [PDF version]

2 June 2011 - Canadian First Nations experience highlighted at National Native Title Conference

Australia Indigenous peoples and Canada’s First Nations would derive significant benefits from the sharing of each others challenges, opportunities and experiences in Native Title - a keynote speaker has told a national Indigenous conference in Brisbane today. [PDF version]

2 June 2011 - AIATSIS runs first accredited Family history workshop

Ten Indigenous Australians from Link Up services around Australia first group of Link Up workers to attend a formally accredited course run by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Family History Unit. [PDF version]

1 June 2011 - Indigenous groups support call to reverse onerous burden of proof in Native Title Act

The Chairperson of the world’s leading research, collecting and publishing institution in the field of Australian Indigenous studies has backed calls for an overhaul of native title legislation to shift the presumption in favour to indigenous claimants. [PDF version]

1 June 2011 - Green’s Native Title Amendment Bill a ‘first step’ say Indigenous delegates at Native Title Conference

The Native Title Amendment Bill is an important first step – but it is not an end in itself,” said Monica Morgan yesterday at The National Native Title Conference’s pre-conference opening plenary. [PDF version]


May 2011

 

18 May 2011 - National and international speakers boost to National Native title conference

The Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, The Hon Patrick Keane, is one of several high profiled keynote speakers confirmed to address Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference – the National Native Title Conference – in Brisbane next month. [PDF version]

15 May 2011 - AIATSIS’ researcher wins prestigious Australian Medical Journal award

The Principal of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Mr Russell Taylor, today congratulated AIATSIS Indigenous Research Fellow Lindy Moffatt on winning a prestigious Australian Medical Journal of Australia award. [PDF version]

12 May 2011 - Budget blow: AIATSIS Chairperson expresses grave concerns

Speaking on behalf of its governing Council, AIATSIS Chairperson, Professor Mick Dodson AM, today expressed grave concerns over the future financial capacity of the organisation to effectively manage and preserve its priceless collections. [PDF version]

11 May 2011 - Traditional owners to explore carbon trading at National Native Title Conference

Traditional owners will explore their roles and rights in a future Australian carbon market at this year’s National Native Title Conference, to be held in Brisbane from June 1-3. [PDF version]

4 May 2011 - Registrations open for Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference

Registrations are now open for Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference - the annual National Native Title Conference – which will be held in Brisbane in June. [PDF version]

4 May 2011 - Twenty years of iconic Indigenous newspaper goes online and global

Twenty years – more than 35,000 pages – of an Australian publishing icon will be available online from this week, thanks to a unique project undertaken by the nation’s premier Indigenous research organisation. [PDF version]


April 2011

 

14 April 2011 - ‘Phenomenal’ Institute captures student’s attention during Canberra visit

Eighteen Indigenous students studying for the University of Western Sydney (UWS) newly introduced, Bachelor of Community and Social Development degree, visited the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in early April as part of their “Who do you think you are?” studies. [PDF version]

12 April 2011 - 80-year-old archived material valued by Kimberley visitors

A four-person group from the remote Kimberley communities in the Fitzroy Valley visited the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) last week to work with the field notes, genealogies, maps and photographs recorded over 80 years ago by anthropologist Phyllis Kaberry. [PDF version]

11 April 2011 - A snapshot of Taree/Purfleet -courtesy of AIATSIS

Hundreds of members of the Aboriginal community in the New South Wales township of Taree and nearby Purfleet were able to look back on their history recently- when Australia’s biggest repository of Aboriginal history – the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) brought a snapshot of their archives to the community. [PDF version]


March 2011

 

13 March 2011 - Positives of Wiradjuri culture underpinremarkable Koori educational program

A unique community based educational program based on the strengths of Indigenous culture – in particular the traditions of story-telling and sharing and caring – has met with enormous success in Cowra, a NSW country town of 10,000 over 300 kilometres from Sydney. [PDF version]

9 March 2011 - A snapshot of Taree/Purfleet -courtesy of AIATSIS

Members of the Aboriginal community in the New South Wales township of Taree and nearby Purfleet, can look back on history today – Tuesday, March 29 - when Australia’s biggest repository of Aboriginal history – the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) brings their archives to the community. [PDF version]

9 March, 2011 - Successful Maori education initiative the focus of lunch-time address

The creator of a remarkable New Zealand teaching program that has seen dramatic improvement in Maori students school performance – a program the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) research fellows are evaluating for possible piloting in Australia – will talk about the program in Canberra this week. [PDF version]

1 March 2011  - Brisbane to host nation’s biggest Indigenous policy Conference

Brisbane will host Australia’s leading and biggest Indigenous policy conference - the annual National Native Title Conference in June. [PDF version]

 

 

February 2011

 

14 February 2011 - Nothing comical about new display

 A fascinating collection of Indigenous themed comics, cartoons and posters are the feature of a new display at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra. [PDF version]

 

 

January 2011

 

19 January, 2011 - Garage find sees former Hasluck staffer donate unique Aboriginal artworks

Four Aboriginal artworks collected by the former Governor General and Minister for Territories, Sir Paul Hasluck, have been donated to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra. [PDF version]

18 January 2011 - New research fellowships enhance Institute’s reputation as world leader

 The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) has appointed an additional five researchers under its innovative and successful Indigenous Visiting Research Fellowship (IVRF) Program. [PDF version]

12 January, 2011 - Deadline looms for manuscript entries in prestigious Stanner Award

 Aspiring and emerging Indigenous authors, scholars and academics have less than three weeks to submit manuscripts in the enhanced and prestigious Stanner Award 2011. [PDF version]