Brisbane to host nation’s biggest Indigenous policy Conference

1 March 2011

 

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

The 12th annual conference will be co-convened from 1-3 June, 2011 by the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) and co hosted by the Turrbal, Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul Peoples, traditional owners of the wider Brisbane area.

Held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Conference is expected to attract some 700 delegates and provides a unique opportunity for a diverse range of native title stakeholders to come together to review current native title practice, policy and law.

AIATSIS Chairperson, Professor Mick Dodson AM said the Conference is the leading annual professional development event for staff of native title representative bodies/service providers and relevant government agencies, as well as independent native title practitioners and academics.

“It proudly promotes public debate about native title and Indigenous peoples’ interests in land and waters and provides an opportunity for native title parties to share information and experiences.”

“It also fosters knowledge acquisition in this dynamic area of agreement making and natural resource management and economic development,” he added.

Under the theme Our Country, Our Future, the Conference will address four main native title threads; Decisions, Actions, Results; Enduring cultures, resilient societies; Country, Heritage and Development and Tenure, Title and Possession.

Keynote speakers at the Conference include:

The conference will feature three days of presentations on native title including keynotes and plenary speeches, debate forums, technical workshops, topical workshops, and Indigenous talking circles.

Registrations for the Conference will open in mid March.

Further details on the Conference is available at www.aiatsis.gov.au