Registrations open for Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference.

4 May 2011

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.

Co-convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS), the annual conference will be held this year at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1-3 June.

The Conference - which is expected to attract over 700 delegates - promotes public debate about native title and Indigenous peoples’ interests in land and waters, agreement making, natural resource management and economic development.

Professor Mick Dodson AM, AIATSIS Chairperson, says that this year’s conference will specifically focus on native title as an agenda for justice for Indigenous people and country, including the broader relationships between traditional owners and country.

“This year’s conference theme of Our Country, Our Future will explore various native title themes including Decisions, Actions, Results, Enduring Cultures, Resilient Societies, Country, Heritage and Development and Tenure, Title and Possession.

“This year’s conference will include special ‘dialogue forums’ aimed to provide more opportunities for shared experiences and engagement between presenters and audience.

“The Dialogue Forums are a new opportunity which will bring together people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Each Dialogue Forum will discuss a set question about native title in a collaborative environment,” Professor Dodson said.

One of the highlights of the three day Conference will be the annual Mabo Lecture – this year to be delivered by Torres Strait Islander, Dr Kerry Arabena, while Andrew Leach of British Columbia, Canada and a member of the St’at’imc Nation and Kevin Smith, the CEO of QSNTS will deliver keynote speeches.

Professor Dodson said that the conference embraces cultural diversity within Indigenous society and values dynamic intercultural conversations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous conference delegates.

“Each year the conference attracts hundreds of participants, with some 650 delegates and 150 speakers attending last year’s conference, half of whom were Indigenous.”

Key conference attendees include native title holders and applicants, native title practitioners (primarily legal counsel and anthropologists), academics, Commonwealth and state government agencies, State and Federal Ministers, and Federal and High Court Judges.

The 2011 Native Title Conference will also feature a trade fair and cultural program run concurrently with the conference sessions, highlighting the cultural and artistic expressions of the local Indigenous community as well as showcasing the variety of stakeholders working with Indigenous peoples in native title, land management and community development.

Online registrations are now open via the conference website at www.aiatsis.gov.au

 

Media Contact:

AIATSIS          Executive and Communications Director John Paul Janke - 0408 600 867

QSNTS             Media Manager Sophia Walter - Tel: (07) 3224 1200

 

Conference website: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/ntru/nativetitleconference/conf2011/conf2011.html