Program

NATIVE TITLE CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Program Updates

 

CULTURAL PROGRAM DETAILS

Formal Welcome and Conference Opening

5.30pm – 7.00pm WEDNESDAY 3 June, 2008


Trade Fair

As part of the conference there will be a Trade Fair, which will include opportunities for Traditional owners to exhibit, display and sell art, craft and other products. The conference usually attracts over 600 traditional owners and native title workers from all over Australia so it is a great opportunity to showcase Victorian arts and crafts. If you’re interested in exhibiting works please complete an expression of interest form.


Expression of Interest for the Trade Fair Closed on Friday 1st May, 2009.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM DETAILS

Pre-conference Workshop

9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday 3 June, 2009

Delegates from native title representative bodies and service providers and native title groups are invited to participate in pre-conference workshops. Participation in these workshops is restricted to NTRB, NTSP delegates and native title groups only. These workshops will cater for the various areas of interest this sector, including issues of strategic importance and coordination. Key to the success of the workshops is the free and open dialogue and sharing of knowledge. Delegates can register between
4.00pm – 6.00pm on Tuesday 2 June 2009 or between 8.00am – 9.00am on Wednesday 3 June 2009.


Native title representative bodies, native title service providers and native title groups only

Native Title Conference 2009 Public Program

9.00am – 5.00pm Thursday 4 June, 2009
9.00am – 5.00pm Friday 5 June, 2009

The Native Title Conference is open to members of the general public who have registered. On these two days, keynote lectures and papers will be presented by native title holders and claimants, practitioners, NTRB/NTSP staff, researchers, government representatives, academics and others.  The full and final program will be provided to delegates at the Registration Desk and is available and updated on this website.


The Mabo Lecture

9.00am – 11.00am Thursday 4 June, 2009

The inaugural Mabo Lecture was delivered by Noel Pearson at the 2001 Native Title Conference which was held in Townsville. Since the 2003 Native Title Conference, the Mabo Lecture has become an annual event. Past presenters of the Mabo Lecture are Noel Pearson (2001 & 2003), John Borrows (2004), Aden Ridgeway (2005), Galarrwuy Yunupingu (2006) and Professor Michael Dodson (2007). 

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.


Indigenous Talking Circles

The Indigenous Talking Circles are an important part of the conference program.  These sessions provide an opportunity for Indigenous delegates to talk among themselves about the impact of the native title process on their communities.  The sessions are not open to non-Indigenous delegates. See the programs for session times.


Indigenous delegates only

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