NTRB PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS PROGRAM [PDF FORMAT 18Kb] (26/05/05)

NATIVE TITLE CONFERENCE (PUBLIC PROGRAM) [PDF FORMAT 81Kb] (29/05/05)

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The major theme of this year's conference is:  The Human Face of Native Title (Maabu-garri julu gunganbu-gundi jagunda*).

Sub themes include:

• Economic development on native title
  Yaabu ngurrajili-gam jagunda gunganbu-gundi-ya (Goods development in the homeland of those who belong)
   
• Social impacts of native title
  Jirraw barrmarrany minyaala gunganbu-gundi-ya? (What will happen to family because of native title?)
   
• Negotiating and implementing agreements
  Gayirrigu; darrundaygu ngalan-junaaygam (To talk together: to fix up agreements)
   
• Evidence and experts
  Nyaagaygam; gulbulgal-biin (What is seen; clever types)
   
• The bigger picture: native title and the new arrangements
  Nyaagu jamay balgaarr: gunganbugundi gala ngirraygam gilinggal (To see more wide; native title and what is done new)
   
• Indigenous Talking circles
  Gayirrigam Gurigundi  (The talking together of Indigenous people)
   
• Native Title Indigenous Youth Forum
  Ngandaalgan guruman biin Gayirri (Youths, female and male all talk together)

*Translations provided by the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative.

A new and refreshing program will be introduced this year, to respond to participant input from previous years.

Wednesday 1 June 2005 NTRB PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
(9.00am – 5.00pm)

This day  will consist of workshops conducted by NTRB staff for NTRB staff and/or executives and members. These workshops will cater for the various areas of interest and expertise within NTRBs. Key to the success of the workshops is the free and open dialogue and sharing of knowledge between NTRBs. 

The registration desk will be open between 4.00pm – 6.00pm on Tuesday 31st May 2005 and between 8.00am – 9.00am on Wednesday 1st June 2005 for NTRB delegates attending the pre-conference workshops.

There will be an informal gathering for NTRB delegates on Tuesday 31st May 2005 in the Opals Room of the Opal Cove Resort from 5.30pm – 7.00pm.

Wednesday 1 June 2005 GUMBAYNGGIRR WELCOME TO COUNTRY
(5.00pm – 6.30pm)

The 2005 Native Title Conference is being held on the ancestral country of the Gumbaynggirr people. Conference delegates are invited to attend a welcome to country being hosted by the Gumbaynggirr Elders who will be represented by:

Betty Cameron – representing Gumbaynggirr people from the Northern Region
Amy Jarrett – representing Gumbaynggirr people from the Southern Region
Margaret Boney – representing Gumbaynggirr people from the Central Region
Cecil Laurie or Larry Kelly – representing Gumbaynggirr people from the Central Region

The welcome to country will be held on the Terrace of the Opal Cove Resort and will follow a Gumbaynggirr Smoking Ceremony.

The Smoking Ceremony which will be preformed by Tony Flanders, Ken Craig & Trevor Wilson will take place prior to the formal welcome and will also be held on the Terrace of the Opal Cove Resort.

Thursday 2 June 2005 OPENING DAY OF THE NATIVE TITLE CONFERENCE

The Native Title Conference is open to members of general public. On this day, keynote lectures and papers will be presented by native title holders and claimants, practitioners, NTRB staff, researchers, academics, political leaders and others.

The registration desk will be open during the following times:

Wednesday 1 June 2005 8.00am-17.30pm
Thursday 2 June 2005 8.00am-6.00pm
Friday 3rd June 2005 8.00am-5.30pmbetween 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Thursday 2 June 2005 OPENING PLENARY
(9.00am – 10.30am )

Mr. Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Title: Challenges and Opportunities in Times of Change

Mr Warren Mundine, Chief Executive Officer, New South Wales Native Title Services Limited
Title: Aboriginal Governance and economic development

Thursday 2 June 2005 FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA: EXPERTS AND EVIDENCE IN NATIVE TITLE PROCEEDINGS
(11.00am-12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3.00pm)

The Federal Court has introduced a number of initiatives to ensure, to the extent that it can, that its procedures in native title hearings are appropriate and sufficiently flexible to accommodate the needs of all the parties who come before it. In so doing, the Court has initiated public discussions about the way it works and encouraged input and feedback in respect of its approach to the management of the native title caseload.

In particular, the members of the Court’s Native Title Coordination Committee are aware that a particular tension has arisen in respect of the Court’s approach to expert evidence in native title proceedings, mainly focussed on the form and content of Anthropological reports. The Committee has noted that, whilst there is a growing case law setting out the legal principles on this matter, there remains divergent practices as to the manner in which the issues are dealt with leading up to and in the course of the trial.

Issues relating to Experts and Evidence in Native Title Proceedings will be explored during this session, which will include presentations by Justice Murray Wilcox, Justice Tony North, Professor Marcia Langton, Ron Levy, Professor Howard Morphy and Associate Professor Les McCrimmon.

Thursday 2 June 2005 ABORIGINAL STUDIES PRESS BOOK LAUNCH
(5.30pm – 6.30pm) 

Mutton Fish: The surviving culture of Aboriginal people and abalone on the south coast of New South Wales
by Beryl Cruse, Liddy Stewart and Sue Norman

To be launched by Mr Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Mabo Day Friday 3 June 2005 THE MABO LECTURE
(9.00am – 10.30am)

Koiki (Eddie) Mabo (1937-92) was born on the island of Mer (also known as Murray Island) in the Torres Strait. As a young man Eddie moved to mainland Queensland working in and around Townsville. Eddie Mabo helped found Townsville’s Aboriginal and Islander Health Service and the Townsville Black Community School. At a land rights conference in Townsville in 1981, Eddie and other Murray Islanders decided to begin legal proceedings to have the traditional ownership of their land recognised by the Courts. Their claim was lodged with the High Court on 20 May 1982.  On June 3rd 1992, six months after Eddie Mabo’s death, the High Court handed down its decision in favour of Mabo and his fellow plaintiffs. This was the first recognition of native title in Australia.

Mrs. Bonita Mabo will give opening remarks

Senator Aden Ridgeway will deliver the Mabo Lecture
Title: Addressing the economic exclusion of Indigenous Australians through native title

The day will be composed of two parallel strands: the general program will continue with papers and workshops, and a distinct Indigenous stream of sessions and workshops will also be held.

Mabo Day Friday 3 June 2005 OFFICE OF NATIVE TITLE – WESTERN AUSTRALIA
(11.00am – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 3.00pm and 3.30pm -5.00pm)

The focus of the WA Office of Native Title stream is on the evidence requirements of the State in the mediation process. It is proposed that the discussion of evidence and assessment requirements relating to connection material from a National perspective will be of value to all native title practitioners, and of especial interest to those involved in the creation of connection material. Of particular focus throughout

the Session will be the level of proof required in connection material and the comparison between a litigated outcome and a consent determination drawing on the Federal Court's requirements for expert evidence. In this way, the ONT envisages that the material presented by the Federal Court in their Sessions will be broadened and the application to connection reports explored.

Mabo Day Friday 3 June 2005 NATIVE TITLE INDIGENOUS YOUTH FORUM
Ngandaalgan guruman biin Gayirri (Youths, female and male all talk together)
(11.00AM – 5.00PM)

AIATSIS, NTRU and NSWNTS will host a Native Title Indigenous Youth Forum on the second day of the Native Title Conference 2005. The Youth Forum's held during previous conferences in Alice Springs and Adelaide have been well attended, and we are delighted to be holding this important forum again in Coffs Harbour. The Indigenous Youth Forum will be a one day event of discussions and workshops. Young people are encouraged to develop their skills and understanding of Indigenous rights and land issues. The Youth Forum is open to 16–25 year old Indigenous people.

Mabo Day Friday 3 June 2005 CONFERENCE DINNER
(7:00pm – 11.00pm)

To conclude and celebrate the Conference, the Conference Dinner will be held on Friday evening. The Conference Dinner will be held in the Ballroom of the Opal Cove Resort and will commence at 7:00pm. The cost of the dinner is included in your registration fee. Dress: neat casual.