Introduction

The Native Title Conference 2006: Tradition and Change, Culture and Commerce is being co-convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Northern Land Council, from 24-26 May 2006 in Darwin.

The Conference is being hosted by the Larrakia people. Larrakia is the language group name for the Aboriginal people of Darwin, in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Traditionally Larrakia lands included the Cox Peninsula, most of Gunn Point and much of urban and rural Darwin. Darwin Harbour is also recognised as being within Larrakia country. Larrakia people are often referred to as "saltwater people", although customary boundaries also extend inland. The Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) was established in 1997. This was a proactive step, by key Larrakia people, in forming an umbrella organisation for Larrakia family groups. The Northern Land Council was instrumental in this process. LNAC represents eight Larrakia family groups. The eight groups are composed of numerous interrelated individual families. Larrakia Nation is considered a peak representative body for any issues regarding Larrakia people.

The program

Pre conference workshops for Native Title Representative Bodies and Native Title Services will be held on Wednesday 24 May 2006 (9.00am-5.00pm). The Public Program will commence with a Welcome to Country to be hosted by the Larrakia people from 5.30pm on Wednesday 24 May 2006. The Conference program will commence at 9am on Thursday 25 May 2006 with sessions finishing at 5.00pm, to begin again at 9am on Friday 26 May 2006 and conclude at 5.00pm. The Conference Dinner will be held on the evening of Friday 26 May 2006 at 7:30pm.

Conference venue

This year the Conference is being held at two venues, The Esplanade Pavilion and the Holiday Inn Esplanade. The Esplanade Pavilion will be set out in Bicentennial Park for the Welcome Ceremony and Plenary sessions.  Bicentennial Park is a park on The Esplanade that skirts the central business district and has views over Darwin Harbour. Across the road from the Pavilion is the Holiday Inn Esplanade:

Holiday Inn Esplanade
The Esplanade
Darwin, Northern Territory
Telephone: (08) 8980 0800
Fax: (08) 8980 0888

Map on the conference venues: The Esplanade Pavilion and the Holiday Inn Esplanade. Please note that next door to the Holiday Inn Esplanade is the Holiday Inn Darwin, which is a separate building and not part of the conference events.

Page last updated:  9 May 2006
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