Sub-themes

1. Caring for Land and Sea Country (Sustainability) – Understanding of the deep spiritual and cultural connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with their ancestral lands and water and how it influences their ways of being, knowing and doing. 
    
2. Rights, Recognition and Representation (Native title, land rights, ICIP, etc.) – Leveraging Traditional Owner rights for recognition and representation, locally, regionally, and nationally.
    
3. Cultural Preservation, Revitalisation and Resurgence – Celebrating the strength, depth, and brilliance of the oldest continuous living culture in the world.
    
4. Intergenerational Knowledge – Recognising the invaluable knowledge, traditions and practices handed down from Elders and ancestors and how they shape the present and future.  
    
5. Contemporary Innovations – Celebrating the contemporary contributions and innovations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and practices in various fields, including arts, education, and governance.

Summit 2026 Co-host

Summit 2026 will be hosted in partnership with Daggan Balun Aboriginal Corporation. Formally incorporated in 2019 to further aid the Five Rivers People social and economic aspirations, and to serve as their representative body in Native Title and Cultural heritage affairs. The Danggan Balun (Fiver Rivers) claim stretches from the Macpherson ranges to the Sea, their jagun (Country) is their heritage, and since the registration of their Native Title claim they have sought to strengthen the care for, and respect of, their cultural heritage, and they are continuing to build meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with land owners within their traditional lands.

Learn more on Danggan Balun Aboriginal Corporation.

Key Dates

Call for Abstracts

Call for abstracts are now open, and will close on Friday 6 February, 2026.

Sponsored Delegate Application

Sponsorship applications are now being accepted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants seeking to attend the 2026 AIATSIS Summit, taking place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1–5 June 2026.

Sponsorship provides full registration to the conference, including social events (Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner), flights, accommodation, meals, and a travel allowance for the week.

Sponsorship will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following categories:

• the applicant has had an abstract to present at Summit accepted;
• the applicant is a Chair/Director of a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC);
• the applicant is participating in the Youth stream of Summit.

Please note, if you have received sponsorship to attend an AIATSIS Summit in the past, this may have bearing on the consideration of the current application for sponsorship.

Applications close: 6 February 2026.

AIATSIS Summit Awards 2026

Nominations for the AIATSIS Summit Awards are now open!

The Awards program is dedicated to celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence across five key categories:

1. Excellence in Cultural Revitalisation, Preservation, and Resurgence
2. Excellence in Sustainability and Sustainable Futures
3. Excellence in First Nation Collection Care and Management
4. Excellence in Youth and Emerging Leadership
5. Excellence in Contemporary Innovation

To apply and for more information visit - AIATSIS Awards