Message Tree Queensland South Native Title Services June 2013
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Message Tree Queensland South Native Title Services June 2013 Word from the CEO PeopLE DATE OCCASION Gunggari 22 June, 1st Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) commenced the People 2013 Anniversary year with a strategic planning workshop. The purpose of the event Quandamooka 4 July, 2nd was to plan the organisation’s strategic direction for the next three People 2013 Anniversary years and ultimately improve our services in realising Traditional Pitta Pitta 28 August, 1st Owners’ aspirations to land and waters. People 2013 Anniversary Jinibara 20 November, 1st As part of this process QSNTS reflected on the 2010 – 2013 People 2013 Anniversary Strategic Plan in the preceding 3 year period, which focussed on diversifying the organisation’s functions. It was noted that since Kalkadoon 12 December, 2nd People 2013 Anniversary 2010, the organisation has developed an increased focus on claim Indjalandji- work driven by the Federal Court’s desire to resolve longstanding 9 May, 1st Dhidhanu 2014 Anniversary claims. Whilst we would have liked to have provided a broader range People* of services as envisaged by the 2010-13 plan, prioritising claim work Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Smith. proved to be the right decision. Returning to the next three years, over this period you will see a The period from 2010 – 2013 was an incredible time for Traditional greater intent to support Traditional Owners in the post-determination Owners and QSNTS. We achieved not only our first successful phase, particularly through supporting Prescribed Body Corporate determination for the Quandamooka People in July 2011 but also a (PBC) capability. Further to this, a focus on growing internal capability, marvellous victory for the Kalkadoon People in December that year. particularly litigation and dispute resolution skills development The hard work of the Gunggurri, Pitta Pitta, Jinibara and Indjalandji reflects a growing need to build our workforce to meet the challenges Dithonou Peoples was also rewarded with their respective consent in straddling both pre and post determination work. QSNTS will determinations during 2012. also aim to investigate and build a strategy for delivering future acts services; something that many clients and stakeholders expressed a The attainment of these determinations has silenced the critics that strong preference for us to consider. QSNTS continues to build on native title cannot be achieved in developed areas and heartened the existing strength of our evidence-based approach. many other Traditional Owners who had grown weary of the hard- grind that is the native title process. Well done to those who have As part of this process, we updated our long term vision statement had their native title recognised. To those claimants who still hold that and the QSNTS Values were also renewed. From 2013 – 2016 aspiration, QSNTS will walk with you in that struggle. I am pleased our focus is to improve engagement with our clients, constituents to say that the struggle for five more native title groups is drawing to and stakeholders. We will increase the rate of resolution claims, a close with a further five consent determinations contemplated over effectively manage disputes and promote cohesive relationships the next 12 to 18 months. between clients. In this period the Rockhampton office was established as part of our We will continuously improve services that are responsive to an strategy to make the organisation more accessible to regional clients evolving native title environment while maintaining a strong focus on while maintaining a strong presence in Brisbane. Similarly, our Mt existing claim work. Isa office proved critical in working with our North West clients. That office will be temporarily closed while we undertake some much- The last couple of months have proved extraordinarily busy with needed refurbishments. We do apologise for any inconvenience numerous claim, applicant group meetings and court hearings. caused during this time but rest assured that our commitment to our North West clients has not diminished and we will continue to serve There is much more exciting work in store, so look out for your next your needs from our Brisbane office. claim newsletter for a more in-depth analysis on your area. During this period we also initiated some key regional research Kevin Smith projects that will greatly assist the prosecution of current and Chief Executive Officer future claims. Warning: This publication contains the names and images of deceased people. Approval has been granted for the inclusion of this sensitive material. 01 Where will the research be focussed? General News: SERRP The research area spans from approximately Dayboro and Esk in the north, down to the Gold Coast and New South Wales border area and Southeast Queensland Regional Research incorporating places inland such as Beaudesert, Boonah, Ipswich, Project Update Warwick, Stanthorpe, Texas, Inglewood and including but not limited to, the asserted traditional land and waters of those Peoples who Southeast Queensland Regional Research Project identify as (in alphabetical order): The Southeast Queensland Regional Research Project (SERRP) is research work currently being undertaken by Queensland South • Birinburra • Kambuwal/Gambuwal • Turrbal Native Title Services (QSNTS) in relation to native title in the • Bullungin • Kombumerri • Ugarapul/Yugarapul Southeast Queensland region. • Gambuwal • Migunberri • Wangerriburra • Githabul • Minjungbal • Yugembeh The aim of the project is to conduct sufficient regional historical, • Gugingin • Mununjali • Yuggera anthropological and genealogical research to determine the extent of • Jagera • Nerangwal (and cognates/derivatives of those names). country, traditional boundaries and levels of society that exist in the region. The SERRP is part of QSNTS’ regional strategy to resolve The research will be conducted in stages by highly experienced and native title interests in Southeast Queensland & provide a broad, well-regarded experts in their fields as described below. objective and regional picture of native title in the area. Historical Report and Preliminary ‘Apical Ancestor’ and QSNTS recognises that the system of laws and customs practiced Geneaological Report by Aboriginal Peoples across the broader Southeast Queensland The Historical Report for the SERRP has been researched and region involves complex relationships between neighbouring groups. authored by experienced and well-respected historian Dr Fiona Because of this complexity, the SERRP is necessary in order to build Skyring with the assistance of QSNTS in-house researchers. It aims a body of evidence based on solid historical, anthropological and to supplement and provide context to the anthropological research genealogical research that will provide a foundation for: defining the particularly in relation to questions of society, connection to country groups that hold, or potentially hold, native title rights and interests and continuity of adherence to law and custom related to any potential within the Southeast Queensland region; determining the appropriate native title determination applications. boundaries for potential native title determination applications to be lodged on behalf of the defined groups; and avoiding any overlaps or disputes. 02 The ‘Apical Ancestor’ and genealogical report is being researched How will confidentiality be protected? and authored by Dr Kevin Mayo who is carrying out ongoing archival All information that is not publicly available and which is collected research that will report a preliminary report that focuses on the life during the course of the SERRP will be held in strict confidence histories and ‘tribal’ affiliations of a number of apical ancestors with by QSNTS and will not be shared with any person or body asserted links to the Southeast Queensland region. This report will without consent of the person or groups to whom that information provide the basis for the preparation of preliminary genealogies. specifically relates. Preliminary Anthropological Report (Part A & B) Gilliat Flinders Research Project The Anthropological Report has been researched and authored by senior consultant anthropologist Dr Anthony Redmond with the The Gilliat Flinders Research Project focuses on the important assistance of QSNTS in-house researchers. question of “society”. It aims to identify the landholding groups which existed at the time of first contact between Traditional Stage 1 of the Anthropological Report has provided QSNTS with Owners and Europeans and the way those groups might be a preliminary description of the society/societies in the Southeast represented as existing to this day. That process will enable us to Queensland region at the time of sovereignty and how these consider whether there is sufficient evidence to support the filing of circumstances inform present-day rights and interests in relation to claims seeking the recognition of native title. the broader region. QSNTS engaged Dr Jonathon Richards, a historian, to prepare a Stage 2 of the Anthropological Report is currently focusing on historical report of and for the region. That report was completed undertaking preliminary interviews with people throughout the region in early November 2012. QSNTS has contracted consultant and dependent of the results of the above work Stage 3 will follow anthropologist, Ms Wendy Asche, to conduct research and prepare with the potential authorisation of new claim/claims in the area follow an anthropological report of