• AIATSIS
  • About AIATSIS
  • Our people
  • Employment
  • News
  • Contacts
• Events
  • Seminar Series
  • Conferences
  • Workshops
  • Symposia
  • Special Events
  • Calendar
• Publications
  • Aboriginal Studies Press
  • AAS Journal
  • Research
  • Corporate
  • Newsletters
• Collections
  • Overview
  • Search catalogue
  • Audiovisual archive
  • Library
  • Access & Visiting
  • Preservation
  • Donating Material
• Research
  • Our Research
  • Family History
  • Native Title Research
  • Research Grants
  • Resources
  • Public programs
• Quick Links
  • Quick links

Connection

Future of connection material

Connection material generated by native title claims is of great value, not only to claimants, but to the wider community because it offers a valuable contribution to Australian history, anthropology, sociology, land management and other areas. With this in mind, the Future of Connection Material Project was inaugurated at AIATSIS to help Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs) ensure both present and future care of this priceless material.

In April-May 2005 the Native Title Research and Access Officer, Ms Grace Koch conducted a survey of NTRBs to find out about current storage practices and plans for the future of documents that have been either collected or generated by the native title process. A second part of the survey asked for ideas as to how AIATSIS could assist NTRBs with these matters. NTRBs indicated that they are interested in developing a coordinated approach to the care, handling and future security storage of the documents they create. Additionally access, copyright and other ownership issues need to be resolved.

• Koch, G. 2005. Report on survey of NTRBs (April-May 2005) 29Kb
• Koch, G. 2005. Report on Breakout Session: The Future of Connection Material, Native Title Conference 2005 28Kb
• Smith, N. 2005. The Future of Connection Material 28Kb, presentation to the Native Title Conference 2005, Coff’s Harbour, NSA.
• Koch, G. 2005. Brief list of on-line resources for preservation and information on Indigenous studies 26Kb, Native Title Research Unit, AIATSIS.

In 2006, Koch did a set of case studies on collection management at the Kimberley Land Council and NSW Native Title Services. Also in June 2006, representatives from 13 NTRBs met in Canberra to discuss databases and the needs of their organisations for collection management practices. A list of ideal fields of information was drawn up along with some guidelines for access of native title material. Several NTRBs have used the information from this workshop to design their own databases.

• Koch, G. 2006. Report on workshop for NTRBs on databases and access and use issues 38Kb, held at AIATSIS 29-30 June 2006.
• See also photos 410Kb from the workshop.

In 2008, after an intensive workshop session with staff of NTRBs funded by FaHCSIA in Sydney, the final report on the needs of NTRBs was submitted (see links below).

• Koch, G. 2008 The Future of Connection Material held by Native Title Representative Bodies: Final Report 231Kb. Native Title Research Unit, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: Canberra.

Based upon this report, Grace Koch did a study in 2008 on the collection management needs of Queensland South Native Title Services arising from amalgamation of various Queensland NTRBs, and some of the recommendations are in the process of being implemented. A further study was done in 2009 with Yamatji Marlpa Native Title Services and the report was finished in March, 2010.

Further Relevant Publications

The annual Native Title Conferences have provided a forum for examination of how material may be best stored, preserved and accessed. Below are some articles and reports dealing with the issues.

• Koch, G. 2010 ‘Communication and Effective Collection Management’ 298Kb., Powerpoint presented to the National Native Title Conference 2010, Canberra, ACT.
• Handford, K. 2009. Realising Traditional Owners Aspirations to Land and Waters Through Professional Native Title Service 152Kb. Presentation to the Native Title Conference 2009, Melbourne, Vic.
• Guest, B. 2008. Connecting people and place. 2.36Mb Presentation to the Native Title Conference 2008, Perth, WA.
• Irving, I. 2006. Information held on Federal Court Native Title files 40Kb, Presentation to the Native Title Conference 2006, Darwin, NT.
• Owen, C. 2008. Publish and be damned! 40Kb Presentation to the Native Title Conference 2008, Perth, WA.
• Twomey, J. 2007. Legal and practical considerations in managing access to materials held by NTRBs and Land Councils 54Kb. Presentation to the Native Title Conference 2007, Cairns, QLD 2007.

See also:

• Bennett, M. & Koch, G. 2007. History and Native Title: the making of a community asset 81Kb.
• Bennett, M. & Koch, G. 2007. History and Native Title: the making of a community asset 57Kb. Powerpoint presentation by Michael Bennett to the Engaging Histories Australian Historical Association 2007 Regional Conference, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 25 September 2007.
• Hudson, E. & Kenyon, A. 2005. Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for digitisation. Available in short 219Kb and long 734Kb form.