2022 AIATSIS Summit Report

The AIATSIS Summit 2022 was held on Kabi Kabi Country and co-convened with Queensland South Native Title Services.

Building on the success of the inaugural AIATSIS Summit held in 2021, the theme of this five-day event was ‘Navigating the spaces in between’. This foregrounds the brilliance and value of Indigenous ways of knowing, seeing and being in the world.

The summit provided the opportunity to bring things from the periphery into focus, recognising that within these spaces there are opportunities for innovation but also risks and complexity. The theme spoke of the importance of relationships and connections, of bonds and trust and reciprocity. It focused our attention on the journey and the destination and required all to reflect on where they have come from.

The final day of the 2022 AIATSIS Summit marked the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Mabo decision by the High Court of Australia. AIATSIS Council Chair, Jodie Sizer, delivered the Mabo Lecture and received a standing ovation for her heartfelt presentation.

The highlight of the summit was the attendance of newly-appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, who provided a closing address to delegates on the final day. Her presence was warmly received.