Welcome

On behalf of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Northern Land Council we are pleased to welcome you to the Native Title Conference 2006. This year the conference is being hosted by the Larrakia people, traditional owners of the Darwin region, under the auspices of Larrakia Nation. We wish to thank the Larrakia people for inviting us to hold the conference on their country.

The theme of the conference – tradition and change, culture and commerce – focuses on the dynamic processes by which Indigenous people adapt to a changing world while maintaining the traditions that underpin their societies. This theme emphasises the connection between culture and commerce, a connection Indigenous people are creatively building upon to strengthen their position in contemporary Australia. The Native Title Conference 2006 will also be a highlight of the Northern Land Council’s program of events celebrating 30 years of land rights in the Northern Territory. The sub-themes of the conference are:

• 30 Years On: land rights and its influence on native title
• Towns, communities and development
• Sea rights
• Creating economic opportunities

The conference is now in its seventh year having been previously held in Coffs Harbour, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Geraldton, Townsville and Melbourne. Each conference has been strongly supported by the staff and council of the native title representative bodies, native title claimants and holders, their legal counsel, native title practitioners such as anthropologists, government institutions and departments, politicians, judges, academics and others. 

This year’s conference is taking place in a climate of rapid change: the Federal Government’s proposed reforms to the native title system, the expansion of the Families and Community Services portfolio to include Indigenous Affairs, Federal Court innovations in native title applications, native title determinations, and an increased emphasis upon agreement-making. In this context we believe this year’s event will prove particularly significant.

The conference provides a rare opportunity for all involved to come together and engage critically and collegially with the rapidly evolving practice of native title.  We hope you find your participation a rewarding experience, and that together we can make the business of native title more meaningful to the dynamic cultures of Indigenous people in today’s world.

The Larrakia People

The Larrakia people welcome delegates of the Native Title Conference. While visiting Larrakia country we ask that you observe and respect the following cultural protocols:

1. The Larrakia people are the Aboriginal traditional owners of all land and waters of the greater Darwin area including identified Aboriginal living areas.
2. Aboriginal law requires respect for the cultural authority of traditional owners.
3. Larrakia speak for Larrakia country; other traditional owners speak for their traditional lands.
4. We have a mutual obligation to care for our country with our neighbours.
5. Visitors should be aware that we have a body of knowledge in our land and waters, which includes sites of significance.
6. Larrakia people expect visitors and service providers to be aware of Larrakia cultural obligations and to respect and acknowledge them.
7. Visitors have the right to be treated with respect and understanding.
8. All visitors are responsible for their behaviour and should respect the guidance of the Larrakia.
9. Learning about country is everybody’s responsibility and it is also the responsibility of government and non-government agencies.
10. Inappropriate behaviour reflects badly on Larrakia people and we do not accept it.

(Source: The Larrakia People, Information brochure, Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Darwin)