Advise on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage
Introduction
Since AIATSIS’ role as an adviser on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage was made explicit in amendments to its statutory functions in 2016, we have been building up infrastructure and capacity to support the provision of regular and structured advice and assessments in the form of an Indigenous Research and Reporting Framework. We have also provided advice on an as-needs basis.
Goals
- Deliver world-class expertise on policy and provide trusted advice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage
- Report regularly on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage
Key actions and activities
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5A: Develop a schedule of regular reporting to support transparency of advice
The Research and Reporting Framework in development will include a recommended program and priorities for reporting on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage.
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5B: Proactively participate in national and international policy debate, expert mechanism and forums relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage
On 19–20 February 2020, we hosted a Culture and Policy Symposium, Nyiyanang Wuunggalu, at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. In the Dhanggati language, nyiyanang wuunggalu means ‘Let’s work together’. This symposium focused on effective policy engagement and design, exploring ways to develop policy in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Nineteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy-makers and influencers shared their insights with over 230 attendees.
Speakers across diverse perspectives stressed the importance of policy innovations undertaken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, whether through nation-building programs, community-controlled organisations, or decisions about a growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander estate. Many emphasised that a shift to true partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities requires a paradigm based on strengths, long-term investment and a focus on relationships, and must build on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and frameworks. Post-event feedback was very positive - the vast majority of respondents would attend future events focused on similar themes.
We made submissions to six policy inquiries and consultative processes during the year - see Appendix D for more detail.
Our CEO, Craig Ritchie, was co-chair of the UNESCO steering committee for the International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019, and led a delegation to Mexico City for the UNESCO high-level event on ‘Making a decade of action for Indigenous languages’ and ‘International Congress of Endangered Languages at Risk’ in February 2020. This event resulted in the declaration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032.
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5C: Develop a framework to report and advise on the state of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage
Research and Reporting Framework
Building on the preliminary literature review and project methodology developed in 2018–2019, we worked closely with consultants from the Nous Group to develop the first iteration of the Research and Reporting Framework, which was delivered in December 2019. This initial version includes the design of the ‘domains’ of culture on which the framework for reporting on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage will be based. Initial consultations with field experts and individuals were conducted to inform the development and structure of the framework, and our work with them to finalise the framework has continued prior to consultation with peak Indigenous representative bodies and individuals regarding the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage.
National Indigenous Languages Report
Using data gathered in the National Indigenous Languages Survey completed in 2018–2019, we worked with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (formerly the Department of Communications and the Arts) and the ANU during the year to prepare the National Indigenous Languages Report. The report will be released in July 2020.
Performance criteria
- AIATSIS reports and policy briefs produced
- Engagement with decision makers, policy leaders, senior government officials and politicians
Results
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Table 21: AIATSIS reports and policy briefs produced
Performance criterion: AIATSIS reports and policy briefs produced
Performance measure: Number of reports, policy briefs and requests for advice
Target: 5 annually
Measure
2019-2020 result
Number of submissions, reports and advice
6
Outcome: The target of at least 5 reports and briefs was achieved.
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Table 22: Engagement with decision makers and policy leaders
Performance criterion: Engagement with decision makers, policy leaders, Senior Bureaucrats and Politicians (number and type)
Performance measure: Number and type of engagements with decision makers
Target: 10 engagements per year
Measure
2019-2020 result
Engagements with Australian governments, including appearances before parliamentary committees and inquiries
14
Outcome: The target of 10 engagements was exceeded.
Analysis
Steady progress was made towards establishing a formalised framework and schedule to advise government on the state and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. The targets for providing advice through submissions on relevant matters of policy and engaging with government were both exceeded. Initiatives such as the Return of Cultural Heritage Project and the delegation to Latin America supported by the Council on Australia Latin America Relations resulted in high levels of engagement (27 interactions) with governments internationally, increasing our global influence and networks.