Blog: History
The AIATSIS blog is our space to showcase our expertise, and for you to discover the stories behind the work we do and the items we are working on.
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Treaty - Yothu Yindi
'Treaty', by the band Yothu Yindi, was a worldwide hit and remains one of Australia’s most iconic rock songs.
Nganapurru malngmarama balandanha runungura baman
War ServiceHistoryIndigenous Australian LanguagesCollection
23 Apr 2019 Rita MetzenrathA month after the bombing of Darwin in 1942, a parachute came down on Rirratjingu lands on Bremmer Island. Read how Wandjuk Marika rescued American pilot Flt Lt Clarence Sanford.
Following the Franklin: Kim McKenzie and the Tasmanian Film Project
This month marks 35 years since the Federal Government ceased the Hydro-Electric Commission’s construction of a dam on the Franklin River in southwest Tasmania; however, evidence presented during this court case claiming the archaeological significance of Kutikina Cave was neither exceptional nor significant continued to haunt archaeologist Rhys Jones.
Indigenous Languages in Australian Parliaments
Indigenous languagesLanguageIndigenous Australian LanguagesHistoryResearch
21 May 2018 Jacqueline BattinAs a part of AIATSIS’ Ngunawal Revival Project, we assisted in writing an acknowledgment of country in Ngunawal, which PM Malcom Turnbull has said in Parliament. But on what other occasions have Indigenous Australian languages been used in Parliament?
Fight for Life: The Father Dixon and the Stuart Case Papers
Sentenced to hang in 1959, Arrernte man Rupert Max Stewart survived 7 stays of execution and ultimately had his conviction commuted to life in prison. The Father Dixon and the Stuart Case Papers provide an insight into how this was achieved.
The Bennelong Letter – Voice of a Wangal Diplomat
CollectionArchives and archivingLanguageHistory
21 Aug 2017 Rita MetzenrathThe AIATSIS Collection holds a very precious copy of what is considered to be the first known use of written English by an Aboriginal Australian.
My PhD: From Protection to Welfare
In late 2016 I was fortunate enough to be awarded the NIRAKN Yumalundi Fellowship to conduct research for my PhD at AIATSIS.
Sherlocks of the Bush
HistoryIndigenous knowledgeIndigenous knowledge systemsLiterature and stories
18 Oct 2016 Dr Blake SingleyAn issue of The Strand Magazine from December 1914 featured an article by an Australian journalist entitled ‘Black “Sherlocks”: The Native trackers of Australia’.
Introducing the Family History Unit
Family historyFamilyHistoryArchives and archiving
12 Aug 2016 Family History UnitThe Family History Unit has recently been re-established at AIATSIS.
