The native title system has produced a remarkable and unprecedented research effort, both in size and scope. The information assets created by native title claims are large, complex and of historical, cultural and economic value to current and future members of native title groups, as well as to the nation more broadly. The management of these materials represents an ongoing challenge for native title groups and their representatives.
The Returning Native Title Materials project (formally known as Managing Information in Native Title) explores the use of the material collected through this process, including appropriate management, storage and return to native title groups. This project will examines the current practices among Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB/SPs) and Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs). Resources on best practice for the related governance, archival, infrastructure and legal issues will be shared with the sector.
Case studies
- The returns process: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) and Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation (RRKAC)
- Aboriginal Land Rights in the Northern Territory: Documenting and Preserving the Records and Memories
- Determining provenance: Goldfields Land and Sea Council
Presentations and Workshops
- McGrath, P, Dinkler, L & Andriolo, A, ‘Managing Information in Native Title Workshop’ at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra., 16-17 March 2015
- Dinkler, L ‘Outcomes from a workshop on managing information in native title’, presentation at Native Title Conference 2015: Leadership, Legacy and Opportunity, 16 June 2015.
- Andriolo, A, Laycock, M & Osbourne, J, 'Guidelines for Managing Information in Native Title', workshop at National Native Title Conference 2016: strong culture, strong country, strong future, 1 June 2016.
Publications
- McGrath, P, Dinkler, L & Andriolo, A 2015, Managing Information in Native Title: survey and workshop report, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra.
Further reading and resources
- The future of connection material held by Native Title Representative Bodies: Final report
- History and Native Title: The making of a community asset
- Report on workshop for NTRBs on databases and access and use issues
- Brief list of online resources for preservation and information on Indigenous studies
- Report on breakout session: The future of connection material
- Report on survey of NTRBs (April-May 2005)
- Anthropology and connection reports in Native Title claim applications
