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Family history
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Before you start Read about what you should know before you begin.
- Research step-by-step Follow our steps for doing family history research.
- Family history sources Learn about the different sources of family history information.
- Where to get help Access assistance in your state and territory.
Collection
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Search the Collection Search and explore the AIATSIS Collection of more than 1 million items related to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Featured collections Browse some of our featured collections which have been digitised as part of our ongoing preservation work.
- Using the Collection You can search the Collection online or visit the Stanner Reading Room to view or listen to collection items and conduct research.
- Caring for the Collection We have the largest and best contextualised collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in the world, and it continues to grow.
- Donate to the Collection We welcome donations of unpublished materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, culture, knowledge, and experience.
Research
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Current projects Our research contributes to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has a direct benefit to the communities we work with.
- Ethical research We provide leadership in ethics and protocols for research related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and collections.
- Indigenous Research Exchange We offer research grants for high quality, impactful Indigenous led research.
- Native title research and access service The Native Title Research and Access Service is your first stop for information about the native title resources in the AIATSIS collection.
- Research publications We produce a range of publications and other resources derived from our research.
- Guides and resources We have produced a range of resources, databases, indexes, finding aids and reading lists to help you with your research and to find information in our Collection.
Education
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Curriculum resources Our world leading curriculum resources are keyed to national curriculum requirements. We also have a range of useful teacher resources within our collection.
- Schools program We will be creating a transformative learning experience for all Australian students and teachers, when visiting Canberra or through on-line training.
- Professional development We will be developing online culturally responsive and racially literate teacher professional development.
What's new
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- News Read all our latest news and media releases.
- Events Find out about all of our upcoming events and conferences.
- Podcasts Listen, learn and be inspired by the stories of Australia’s First Peoples.
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- 2022 AIATSIS Summit Join us on Kabi Kabi Country on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
About
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Connect with us We invite you to connect with us on social media. Join our strong and growing membership and support our foundation.
- What we do We tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and create opportunities for people to encounter, engage and be transformed by that story.
- Who we are We are Australia's only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history, cultures and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.
- Work with us We recognise that our staff and volunteers are our most valuable asset.
- Ngurra Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct will be nationally significant in speaking to the central place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold in Australia’s story.
- AIATSIS Alice Springs We’re opening a new Alice Springs facility in partnership with First Nations Media Australia.
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Blogs

Blogs are our space where you can discover the stories behind the work we do and some of the items in our collection.

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image of a colour woodblock (木版画, mokuhanga) print on mulberry paper. Sugoroku is a traditional Japanese children’s dice-based board game.

Rare and unique 19th century Japanese items in the AIATSIS Collection

Rita Metzenrath

There are several items of Japanese origin held in the AIATSIS Collection including two from the 19th century.

Reuniting a collection of Brinja community material

Cathy Zdanowicz

An extraordinary collection of drawings, sketches, maps and diagrams was uncovered in one of our vaults during a sorting process.

AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia

Aboriginal English

Over the years, many Indigenous people have been forced to speak Standard Australian English (AusE) at the expense of ancestral language, Kriol, or Aboriginal English (AbE).

IRX - Nyomba Gaṉḏaŋu, Nyomba Gaṉḏaŋu, Yolŋu and CDU

IRX grantees at the Summit

The 2021 AIATSIS Summit held on Kaurna Country was an opportunity for researchers, Prescribed Body Corporate’s and communities alike to share their experiences and knowledge with others.

Ian Dunlop

Vale Ian Dunlop

Ian Dunlop was commissioned by the AIAS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, the former name of AIATSIS) to create a range of original film material through its film unit which operated from 1962 to 1988.

Jon Altman collection grows

Kylie Moloney, Jeni Wie

The Jon Altman manuscript collection is one of the most significant and extensive collections held at AIATSIS. Collections staff recently worked with Jon to transfer his third instalment of documents to AIATSIS.

The right to water

Mia Stone, Lilli Ireland

The importance of land to Indigenous people has long been recognised in reconciliation efforts, but the cultural, social, spiritual and economic significance of water has received somewhat less attention.

Ocean Guardian, Brian Robinson, - Ngulla Wellamunagaa

Ocean Guardian – Malu Yawa Garka

Charlotte Lembit

Ocean Guardian' (2017), a cast aluminium stingray by Brian Robinson, relays the creation story of the Great Barrier Reef ‘Gunya and the Sacred Fish story’ as told by Gimuy Walabura Yidinji elder Gudju Gudju (Seith) Fourmile in David Attenborough’s documentary Great Barrier Reef (2015).

Indigenous languages in Australian parliaments

Jacqueline Battin

In 2016, Malcom Turnbull made history by being the first prime minister to speak an Australian Indigenous language in a parliamentary speech.

Two women and a young girl using sign language

Yolŋu Sign Language

Dr Bentley James

Yolŋu Sign Language (YSL) is a unique, endangered sign language of the Yolŋu people of North East Arnhem Land.

Last updated: 25 May 2022