Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies facts for kids
A Sea of Hands outside the AIATSIS building on Acton Peninsula. The Sea of Hands was created in 2014 with the help of local communities, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's First Peoples, 2008.
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| Established | 1964 |
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| Location | Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a special Australian organisation. It was started in 1964. Its main job is to collect, share, and research information about the cultures and societies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
AIATSIS is known for doing research in a respectful way. It carefully handles important cultural items. Its huge collection has been built over 50 years. It helps people learn about languages, culture, and family histories. AIATSIS is located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Contents
History of AIATSIS
How it Started (1959–1964)
In the late 1950s, people around the world became more interested in studying different cultures. In Australia, a politician named W.C. Wentworth suggested creating an institute. This institute would focus on recording the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 1960, a group at the Australian National University (ANU) looked into this idea. They held a conference in 1961 to discuss Aboriginal Studies. However, no Aboriginal people were at this meeting.
The Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, set up a temporary group in 1961. This group planned how the new research organisation would work. They also started to identify urgent research needs.
In 1964, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS) was officially created.
Early Years (1964–1970)
When AIAS started, its main goal was to record languages, songs, art, and traditions. This was done to preserve them for the future.
The Institute had several important jobs:
- To support scientific research on Aboriginal peoples.
- To focus on studies where cultural information was quickly disappearing.
- To create a library and information centre for scholars and the public.
- To encourage cooperation between researchers and other organisations.
- To publish and support research findings.
- To help fund research and protect important cultural sites.
- To train new researchers.
- To connect with similar groups around the world.
The first leader of AIAS was Frederick McCarthy. He was an anthropologist. He believed in using film for research. The AIAS Film Unit started making many important films. These films showed the lives and cultures of Indigenous people.
The Institute also started a publishing section in 1964. It published many research papers. These early efforts helped create the large collections AIATSIS has today. However, before 1970, no Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people were part of the AIAS Council.
Self-Determination and Change (1970–1989)
The 1970s brought big changes to AIAS. In 1970, Phillip Roberts became the first Aboriginal person on the AIAS Council. More Indigenous members joined soon after, like Senator Neville Bonner.
Aboriginal people were pushing for more say in how their cultures were studied. They wanted to be involved in decisions. The Australian government also introduced a policy called "Self-determination for Aboriginal people" in 1972. This meant giving Indigenous people more control over their own lives.
Peter Ucko became the Principal of AIAS in 1972. He started a policy called "Aboriginalisation." This aimed to involve more Aboriginal people in the Institute's work. An important letter in 1974, called the "Eaglehawk and Crow letter," criticised how research was done. It called for Indigenous people to have more control over studies about their cultures.
In 1975, the Aboriginal Advisory Committee was formed. It recommended more Indigenous people on committees and as staff. In 1975–1976, grants were introduced for Aboriginal researchers.
The AIAS Film Unit also grew. Filmmakers like David MacDougall and Judith MacDougall explored new ways of making films. They focused on telling individual stories. They worked closely with Indigenous people. They used subtitles to let people speak for themselves.
In 1978, a meeting led by Marcia Langton discussed the need for Aboriginal people to tell their own stories. The AIAS Film Unit then started training Indigenous filmmakers.
The Institute continued to grow in the 1980s. The Aboriginal Studies Press started publishing the Australian Aboriginal Studies Journal in 1983. This journal shares high-quality research.
In 1985, the 'After 200 Years' project began. It collected photographs of daily life in southern Australia. Indigenous people helped choose the subjects and take the photos.
By 1987, the AIATSIS library had grown a lot. It included print, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials. In 1989, the AIAS Act was replaced. The Institute was renamed the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
AIATSIS Today (1989–Now)
The new AIATSIS Act in 1989 changed the Council. It made sure that at least five of the nine Council members were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. A Research Advisory Committee was also set up.
In 1996, Aboriginal Studies Press published its popular Aboriginal Australia map. This map shows the general locations of Aboriginal language groups.
AIATSIS started digitising its collections in 2001. This means converting old materials into digital files. This makes them easier to access online. They digitised magazines like Dawn and New Dawn. They also scanned over 35,000 pages of the Koori Mail newspaper.
AIATSIS also holds important events. Since 2001, they have held the National Indigenous Studies Conference every two years. The National Native Title Conference has been held every year since 2002.
In 2014, for its 50th anniversary, AIATSIS held an exhibition of photos from the 'After 200 Years' project.
How AIATSIS is Run
The AIATSIS Act
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989 is a law. It explains what AIATSIS is for and what it does.
The main jobs of AIATSIS under this law are:
- To do and promote studies about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- To publish and help publish research findings.
- To do and encourage research in these areas.
- To help train people, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as researchers.
- To create and keep a collection of materials related to Indigenous studies.
- To help everyone in the community understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies better.
This Act also set up the Research Advisory Committee. It also explains how the AIATSIS Council should be formed.
The Council
The AIATSIS Council guides the Institute. It makes sure AIATSIS does its job well. The Council has nine members. Four are chosen by the Institute's members. Five are chosen by the Minister.
The law says that at least one person chosen by the Minister must be a Torres Strait Islander. The other four must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
- The current Chairperson is Ms Jodie Sizer. She is a Djap Wurrung/Gunditjmara woman.
- The first Aboriginal Chairperson was Mr Ken Colbung. He was a Nyoongar elder.
- The first Aboriginal woman Chairperson was Professor Marcia Langton. She is a Wiradjuri and Bidjara woman.
Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
The RAC checks and advises on AIATSIS research projects. This includes deciding on research grants.
Its jobs are:
- To look at applications for research grants and suggest who should get them.
- To advise the Council on research matters.
- To advise the Council on who can become a member of the Institute.
The RAC has twelve members.
Research Ethics Committee (REC)
The REC makes sure that all research done or supported by AIATSIS is ethical. This means it is fair and respectful.
The committee has eight members. At least four must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. They include a chairperson, community members, researchers, a health professional, a religious leader or Indigenous elder, and a lawyer.
Native Title Research Advisory Committee (NTRAC)
The NTRAC helps guide the work on Native Title research. Native Title is about the rights of Indigenous people to their traditional lands and waters.
This committee has ten members. They include Council members, the Principal, and experts in Native Title.
Publishing Advisory Committee (PAC)
The PAC advises on which books and papers the Aboriginal Studies Press should publish. Manuscripts are reviewed by experts before the PAC makes a decision.
The PAC members have skills in academics, Indigenous languages, and publishing.
Indigenous Caucus
The Indigenous Caucus is a group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at AIATSIS. They meet to talk about workplace issues. They also give advice to the Principal and other committees.
Research at AIATSIS
What AIATSIS Researches
AIATSIS conducts and promotes research about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For over 50 years, it has researched many topics. These include languages, archaeology, land rights, and current issues like health and education.
The AIATSIS collections are very important. They help researchers learn about Indigenous cultures. AIATSIS is one of Australia's main research agencies. It is the only one that focuses on non-science areas.
Currently, AIATSIS focuses on six main research areas:
- Native Title and traditional land ownership.
- Land and Water.
- How Indigenous communities are governed and public policy.
- Languages and cultural expression.
- Health and wellbeing.
- Education and how culture is passed on.
Ethical Research
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AIATSIS publishes special rules called the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS). These are the main guidelines for doing research with Indigenous communities in Australia.
The guidelines have 14 principles. They cover ideas like:
- Respecting rights and recognising Indigenous people.
- Talking and agreeing with communities.
- Working together and partnering.
- Making sure research benefits communities.
- Managing how research information is used and stored.
- Reporting and following rules.
Researchers who want AIATSIS to support their projects must follow these guidelines. The latest version of GERAIS was published in 2012. It includes updates about intellectual property and digital technologies.
All research projects are reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee. They check proposals, plain language explanations for participants, and consent forms.
Native Title Research
AIATSIS started its Native Title research in 1993. This was after the important Mabo v Queensland court decision in 1992. This decision recognised Indigenous land rights.
AIATSIS researches many topics related to Native Title. This includes cultural heritage and water rights. The goal is to understand how Native Title works. They also advise on Native Title policies.
AIATSIS publishes books, reports, and a newsletter on Native Title. They also help Native Title claimants access materials from their collections. AIATSIS helps organise the Annual National Native Title Conference.
Family History Research
AIATSIS has many resources to help people research their family history. They have a Family History kit. This kit helps people trace their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. It guides them to AIATSIS resources and other helpful places.
They also provide general advice on Indigenous family history research. This includes old naming customs. AIATSIS helps Link-Up workers. These workers help members of the Stolen Generations reconnect with their families.
AIATSIS Collections
What's in the Collection
AIATSIS is the only Australian government organisation that collects and keeps materials about the oral and visual traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a "keeping place for culturally significant objects." It helps anyone who wants to learn about Indigenous history and culture.
The collection holds thousands of years of history. It covers over 500 Australian Indigenous languages and groups. In 2014, it had over 6 million feet of film, 40,000 hours of audio, and 653,000 photographs. It also has 120,000 books and other printed materials.
Some parts of the AIATSIS collection are very famous:
- The Australian Indigenous Language Collection: This collection is listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. It has printed materials in 200 Indigenous languages. Some of these languages are now endangered.
- Sorry Books: Also in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. AIATSIS holds 461 Sorry Books. These books contain messages of apology from hundreds of thousands of people. They are important because they show personal responses to the Stolen Generations.
- Luise Hercus recordings: These recordings of Aboriginal languages were added to the National Registry of Recorded Sound. They include over 1000 hours of 40 endangered languages. Some of these languages are no longer spoken.
The collection also has copies of the first audio recorded in Australia. These were made in the Torres Strait Islands in 1898.
The AIATSIS collection is organised into these main groups:
- Art and artefact: About 600 artworks and 500 artefacts. They include ritual objects and modern art.
- Books and printed material: Over 175,680 titles. These include books, magazines, and government reports.
- Film: Over 8 million feet of film and 4000 videos. Many were made by the AIAS Film Unit.
- Manuscripts and rare books: Over 11,700 manuscripts and 2,600 rare books. They are kept in special, climate-controlled storage. This includes the Sorry Books.
- Pictorial: About 650,000 photographs. They date from the late 1800s to today. Most are unique to AIATSIS.
- Sound: About 40,000 hours of unique sound recordings. They include languages, ceremonies, music, and interviews.
How AIATSIS Gets Items
AIATSIS gets items for its collection in a few ways. People donate or sell items. Materials are also collected during research and filmmaking projects funded by AIATSIS. Sometimes, original owners deposit materials. They can set rules for how their cultural information is used.
AIATSIS focuses on collecting items that are:
- Comprehensive: They try to collect as much as possible.
- Significant: Items that contribute to worldwide knowledge or are valued by Indigenous communities.
- Representative: Items that show a particular type of creativity or research.
Looking After the Collection
AIATSIS has a plan to look after its collection. This involves recording and cataloguing items. They also store them properly to make them last longer. They convert old formats to new ones.
Physical items are protected by:
- Checking for insects, mould, or damage from the environment.
- Storing items in climate-controlled vaults. This protects them from moisture and light.
Many old photographs, tapes, and films are at risk of deteriorating. Also, the machines to play them are no longer made. To solve this, AIATSIS converts the content into digital files.
Sometimes, digital items are printed and added to the physical collection. This helps preserve them too.
AIATSIS holds materials that are sensitive or sacred to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They follow strict rules when handling these items. Restricted visual materials are stored separately. Audio and moving images are checked for cultural rules before being played. Digitisation of these items is done in secure conditions.
Digitisation Program
AIATSIS started its Library Digitisation Pilot Program in 2001. This program converts old materials into digital files. AIATSIS continues to digitise its collection. They need more funding to digitise all at-risk formats before they are lost.
They choose items for digitisation based on their importance, how damaged they are, cultural rules, and demand. A big goal is to digitise all audiovisual materials on old magnetic tapes by 2025.
Accessing the Collection
The AIATSIS collection is in its building in Canberra. The Library is open to the public. It has books, journals, and rare books. You can access films, sound, and photos by making an appointment.
Digitisation helps more people access the collection. It is especially important for Indigenous communities far away.
AIATSIS has a program called Return of Material to Indigenous Communities (ROMTIC). It gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people copies of materials related to their family or language group.
AIATSIS also shares parts of its collection online. These online exhibitions show different themes or collections, such as:
- A.M. Fernando Notebooks: Notes from an Aboriginal man living in London in the 1920s.
- Remembering Mission Days: Materials about the Aborigines' Inland Mission.
- 1967 Referendum: Information about the vote to change the Australian Constitution.
- Freedom Ride: Photos and diary entries from the 1965 protest in NSW.
- Dawn/New Dawn: A complete set of magazines published by the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board.
- Koori Mail: The full history of this Indigenous-owned newspaper.
- Sorry Books: A selection of messages from the books of apology to the Stolen Generations.
Access to the collection also follows laws and agreements. Section 41 of the AIATSIS Act says that information given with restricted access must be kept private. It also says that information should not be shared if it goes against the wishes of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
The Copyright Act (1968) also affects how materials can be used. AIATSIS also respects the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This declaration says Indigenous people have the right to control their cultural heritage.
In 2014, AIATSIS created an Access and Use Policy. This policy helps manage legal and cultural rights while making materials as accessible as possible.
Collection Resources
AIATSIS has created resources to help people find items in the collection.
One important resource is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Biographical Index (ABI). It started in 1979. It lists information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from published materials. Today, it has over 70,000 records. You can search it online.
Another resource is the Perfect Pictures Database. It has over 140,000 digital images from the AIATSIS Photographic Collection. It only includes images that are not culturally restricted.
AIATSIS also has online resources:
- Mura: This is AIATSIS's online collection catalogue.
- Trove: The AIATSIS collection can also be searched through the National Library of Australia's Trove website.
- Thesauri: AIATSIS has created three special lists of words. These help with searching for information on Indigenous languages, place names, and study topics.
Publishing at AIATSIS
Aboriginal Studies Press
AIATSIS publishes research findings through its publishing arm, Aboriginal Studies Press (ASP). It started publishing in 1962. The ASP name was officially trademarked in 2002.
ASP publishes scholarly research. It also publishes the Australian Aboriginal Studies (AAS) journal. Most publications are available in print and as ebooks.
ASP publishes many types of books. These include research reports, biographies, family histories, and children's books. They publish books by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors. Some Aboriginal authors work with non-Aboriginal oral historians.
Cleared Out (2005) won awards and inspired a film. The Little Red Yellow Black Book is a popular educational resource.
The Aboriginal Australia map is another well-known resource. It shows the general locations of Aboriginal language groups.
ASP also publishes the winner of the Stanner Award. This award is for a manuscript by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It helps new Indigenous academics get their work published.
The Publishing Advisory Committee decides which manuscripts to publish. Aboriginal Studies Press works with distributors to share its books around the world.
Journal
- Australian Aboriginal Studies (AAS) is a journal published twice a year by Aboriginal Studies Press. It started in 1983. It contains articles, research reports, and book reviews.
Other Publications
- Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia
AUSTLANG Database
The AIATSIS website hosts the AUSTLANG database. This database has information on all known Aboriginal Australian languages. It started as a card file in the 1990s. The online version was first released in 2008 and updated in 2018.
Events at AIATSIS
AIATSIS hosts many special events, workshops, and conferences. Some regular events include:
- National Native Title Conference (NNTC): This is an annual conference. It focuses on Native Title and justice for Indigenous people and country.
- National Indigenous Research Conference (ANIRC): Held every two years. It's a place for experts to share knowledge in Indigenous studies.
- NAIDOC on the Peninsula: A free community event held every year in Canberra during NAIDOC Week. It celebrates the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It features Indigenous musicians and activities for families.
- Wentworth Lecture: Hosted every two years. It's named after W.C. Wentworth, who helped start AIATSIS. Important people give talks to help Australians understand Indigenous issues.
Location
AIATSIS is located on the Acton Peninsula in Canberra. Its building opened in 2001. The Ngunnawal people, who are the traditional owners of the land, performed a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at the opening.
The building was designed by Howard Raggatt of Ashton Raggatt McDougall. It cost $13.75 million. The design of the building has been talked about a lot. The back of the building looks like a black copy of a famous French building called Villa Savoye. The architect said it also reminds him of Sidney Nolan's paintings of Ned Kelly.
During the design, the building was moved to save two important Apple Box trees on the peninsula.
