AIATSIS Research
Research grants
Resources
Public programs
AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference 2007
Forty Years On: Political transformation and sustainability since the Referendum and into the future’
The 1967 Referendum result was partly in recognition of national political action by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and, since the Referendum, multiple new forms of local, regional, and national Indigenous political expression have influenced legislative outcomes. This included the rise of new forms of governance during the self-determination era including the advent of major government departments under Indigenous control to the recent dissolution of these models and a developing focus upon more localised partnership building.
The Commonwealth’s legislative and policy involvement has stimulated national debate about this changing policy framework and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues more broadly. Themes for the Conference include: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander political action; racial discrimination; the importance of events surrounding the Referendum such as the equal wages decision, Gurindji Walk Off and Tent Embassy protests; the changing policy framework of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs; a critical review of current government administrative arrangements and possible future directions; the impacts of developments in the struggle for land including land rights and native title; heritage protection; sustainable management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands; national language programs; developments in the arts; service delivery including health and education; changing demographic patterns and their impact on service delivery; and the affects of these changes upon the framing and conduct of research.
