oal2 Focus outward and engage collaboratively 45 AIATSIS Annual Report 2013–14 This goal is about how AIATSIS works and relates closely to our activities under all AIATSIS goals. Reporting against this goal is focused on the structures and methods AIATSIS has established to support its outward focus and collaboration. Goal 2 performance measurement Key performance indicator: improved confidence in our external engagement Measure Results 3000 people attended the Lorrkkon ceremony to launch AIATSIS’ 50th anniversary. 500 delegates attended the National Indigenous Studies Stakeholder engagement with AIATSIS Conference and rated their experience (on average) events and forums 4.3 out of 5. 600 delegates attended the National Native Title Conference and rated their experience (on average) 4.25 out of 5. In addition to our annual appropriation AIATSIS attracted Increase in funding base an additional $5.9 million, bringing total funding to $19.2 million (up from $17.5 million in 2012–13). 49 new members were appointed to AIATSIS, 50% more than in 2012–13. Of the new members, 23 (47%) Membership are Indigenous. Total membership stands at 609, of which 172 (28%) are Indigenous. At the National Indigenous Studies Conference: (below left) Professor Martin Nakata delivers a keynote address; (middle) over 500 delegates attended; (right) Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Politics at the University of San Francisco, Professor James Taylor, delivers a keynote address. Photo credits – John Paul Janke 46 Our performance National conferences In 2013–14, AIATSIS convened two national conferences to bring together stakeholders with an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and to provide a forum for collaborative engagement. The conference content, along with cultural programs that showcased the host and other communities, contributed to Goal 1 and The National Indigenous Studies provided part of the foundation for research conference keynote speakers excellence under Goal 3. provided thought-provoking National Indigenous Studies discussions on the positioning of Indigenous studies in academia. Conference – 50 Years On: Breaking Aileen Moreton-Robinson started Barriers in Indigenous Research with a provocative look at Indigenous and Thinking research thinking, examining the analytic and discursive relations AIATSIS held its biennial Indigenous Studies between race and culture as Conference from 26–28 March 2014. It contested territory in knowledge brought together almost 500 delegates with production. Linda Tuhiwai Smith multidisciplinary expertise from across then provided an international the Indigenous studies sector, including perspective and discussed her researchers, policymakers, community own experiences of being an members, academics, representative Indigenous researcher in the organisations, consultants, traditional university system in New Zealand. owners and service providers. Martin Nakata continued the The conference had 123 presentations given engagement, focusing particularly by 227 presenters. Presentations covered on supporting scholarship and diverse topics such as education, health, how we are bringing students into cultural heritage, arts, policy, tourism, our discussions, educating both economics, language, anthropology, Indigenous and non-Indigenous archives, information technology, history, students. James Lance Taylor, native title, musicology and ethics, all the final keynote speaker, brought focused around the current state and future an even broader international of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective to the thinking studies and research. from across the three days and considered how Indigenous studies In their feedback, attendees rated the and Black studies, particularly conference content, presenters, venue and the dialogue in America, could professional development value at 4.3 out of be expanded by the thinking here 5 (on average). in Australia. Top right: The Institute’s Dr Lisa Strelein and Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Pro-Vice Chancellor Maori at the University of Waikato. Photo credit – John Paul Janke 47 AIATSIS Annual Report 2013–14 National Native Title Conference The National Native Title Conference was co-convened by AIATSIS and NTSCORP Limited (Native Title Service Provider for Aboriginal Traditional Owners in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) and hosted by the Gumbaynggirr people, the traditional owners of the Coffs Harbour region, on 2–4 June 2014. The conference attracted 600 delegates, including 300 Indigenous people. There were 120 speakers, who gave 77 presentations. With the support of our sponsors, AIATSIS was able to fund 40 Indigenous people to attend the conference as speakers, chairs and delegates and managed to provide another 22 free registrations to Indigenous attendees. Feedback on the conference, rated on average at 4.25 out of 5 by participants, included: I felt this conference was world class. The facilities, access to facilities and “ all of the amazing staff. The NTSCORP staff and AIATSIS staff, you are world class!! You all acknowledge or responded and actioned every request of the conference delegates. You all acknowledged and responded to all At the National Native Title Conference: (top) Eddie delegates. You guys ROCK! Mabo’s grandson Ezra, introduces Dr Wen-Chi Kung to present the 2014 Mabo Lecture. Photo credit – Bryce Gray The Annual NTC is a highlight each year. (middle) Wajad Ngaarlu from Orara High School performed traditional and contemporary dances on the First time at a conference like this, so opening morning of the conference. Photo credit – John Paul Janke beautiful – to all be together. (bottom) AIATSIS Director of Research, Dr Lisa Strelein; the AIATSIS Principal, Russell Taylor, and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion. Photo credit – Brigitte Russell 48 Our performance National Prescribed Bodies Corporate Meeting AIATSIS hosted the National Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) Meeting on Sunday, 1 June, before the National Native Title Conference. The meeting was held for PBC boards, directors and members to have a space to discuss native title business in a closed session. Fifty participants represented PBCs from Western Australia, Above: Participants of the National Prescribed Bodies Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Corporate (PBC) Meeting held as part of the National South Australia. Native Title Conference. Photo credit – Andrew Turner Cancer Council NSW Strategic Research networks and Research Partnership partnerships AIATSIS has joined the Cancer Council NSW Strategic Research Partnership alongside AIATSIS entered three new research network the Menzies Institute of Health Research, agreements this year. the University of Western Australia, Griffith Lowitja Institute Cooperative University and James Cook University. This partnership facilitates research into the role Research Centre for Aboriginal and of Indigenous cancer survivors in improving Torres Strait Islander Health cancer awareness and outcomes for AIATSIS signed up to continue its Indigenous cancer patients. partnership with the Lowitja Institute Cooperative Research Centre for ARC Centre of Excellence for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dynamics of Language Health (CRCATSIH) through 2014–19. This AIATSIS has become a partner in the will ensure we continue to have access to Australian Research Council’s (ARC) funding opportunities, collaborative research Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of opportunities and greater promotion of Language alongside the Australian National our research outputs through this national University, the University of Melbourne, the initiative. AIATSIS is also represented on the University of Queensland and the University Lowitja Institute board. of Western Sydney. This new partnership Projects undertaken within this partnership involves 10 international institutions and two in 2013–14 include a review of the National non-university organisations. The centre Health and Medical Research Council ethics considers research questions relating to the guidelines and preparation of a history of evolution of languages, language variability, the CRCATSIH and its predecessors. More language heritage, the acquisition and details are provided under Goal 3. processing of language and implications for information and technology. 49 AIATSIS Annual Report 2013–14 Continuing participation in other research networks Network Partners AIATSIS’ role Collaborating organisation National Indigenous Research Queensland University of AIATSIS (Dr Jakelin Troy) leads and Knowledges Network Technology (lead) with nine the Yuraki – History, Politics and (NIRAKN) ARC Strategic universities and four other Culture node Research Initiative organisations Two chief investigators on AIATSIS staff Humanities Networked Project partner Infrastructure (HuNI) – Deakin University with 12 other AIATSIS is contributing data from the National eResearch organisations the collection catalogue Mura® Collaborative Tools and and the AUSTLANG languages Resources (NeCTAR) database Project partner Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) (lead), Supervision of one BIITE PhD Cooperative Research Network Monash University, Charles student by AIATSIS staff member Indigenous Research Capacity Darwin University, Australian Two AIATSIS staff on higher National University degree by research review panel Ninti One (lead) with 50 Cooperative Research Centre for organisations including six