The native title system has produced a remarkable and unprecedented research effort, both in size and scope. It involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group across the country.
The materials developed in support of native title claims are large, complex and of historical, cultural and economic value to current and future members of native title groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to the nation more broadly. The management of these materials represents an ongoing challenge for native title groups and their representatives.
Related case studies
- Case study - Aboriginal land rights in the Northern Territory: Documenting and preserving the records and memories
- Case study - The returns process: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) and Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal
- Case study - A digital approach: Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
The native title claim materials include information on genealogies, languages, laws and customs and areas of significance and are subject to Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights. They provide an essential evidence base for future decision-making and are critical to; for example, effective governance, knowledge transmission to younger and future generations, cultural heritage protection, environmental conservation and land management. Vesting control of these materials in registered native title body corporates, also known as PBCs, will contribute to the independence and long-term sustainability of these organisations.
The Returning Native Title Materials (RNTM) project explores the use of materials collected through the native title process, including appropriate management, storage and return to native title groups.
This project investigates existing efforts among Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB/SPs), PBCs and others to manage, return, receive and use native title materials.
Resources on the best practice for related governance, archival, infrastructure and legal issues along with learnings from NTRB/SPs and PBCs who have engaged in a returns process are shared below.
The NTRU is partnering with NTRB/SPs, PBCs and research institutions, including Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Robe Rive Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation, La Trobe University and Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, on a number of case studies. (listed above)
Land claim focus group participants, 2019. Photograph by Jeffery Paul.
Land claim focus group participants, 2019. Photograph by Jeffery Paul.
Anthropologist’s archive spanning more than 40 years. Photograph by Daniel Vachon.
Anthropologist’s archive spanning more than 40 years. Photograph by Daniel Vachon.
Resources
- Returning native title materials – 30 years in the too hard basket (PPTX, 2.26MB)
- Returning native title materials – A digital approach: Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation case study report
- First glance: A draft template for surveying your land and native title claim archive (DOCX, 646KB)
- Aboriginal land claims in the Northern Territory: Documenting and preserving the records and memories, Report
- Returning native title materials, YMAC workshop summary
- Returning native title materials, RRKAC workshop summary
- 2021 AIATSIS Summit - Legal issues in transferring research materials from NTRB/SPs to RNTBCs
- 2021 AIATSIS Summit - Return of native title materials, Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation
- PBC resources - Metadata
- PBC resources - Metadata and digital media files
Further reading
- Managing information in native title (MINT), survey and workshop report
- The future of connection material held by native title representative bodies: final report
- History and native title: the making of a community asset
- Report on workshop for NTRBs on databases and access and use issues held at AIATSIS 29-30 June 2006
- Brief list of on-line resources for preservation and information on Indigenous studies
- Report on breakout session: the future of connection material
- Report on survey of NTRBs, April-May 2005
- Anthropology and connection reports in native title claim applications
Project team
Christiane Keller
Kieren Murray
Toni Bauman
David Parsons