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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- Donate to the Collection We welcome donations of unpublished materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, culture, knowledge, and experience.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 improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by ensuring there is more involvement and agency in research projects.
- 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 and reports 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.
- AIATSIS Centre for Australian Languages Most of the estimated 250 Australian languages and 600-700 dialects are represented in our unrivalled language holdings.
Education
AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
- Curriculum resources AIATSIS Education offers a growing bank of educational resources aligned with Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum.
- Schools program We offer transformative learning experiences for all Australian students and teachers.
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- Guide to evaluating and selecting education resources This guide supports educators to make conscious and critical decisions when selecting curriculum resources.
- Core e-learning suite The Core e-learning suite consists of courses that have been developed to strengthen individual and organisational cultural capability.
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AIATSIS holds the worlds largest collection dedicated to Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
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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 Australia 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 Central Australia We’re opening a new facility in Mparntwe/Alice Springs in partnership with First Nations Media Australia.
- Aboriginal Studies Press Aboriginal Studies Press (ASP) is Australia’s leading publisher of Australian Indigenous studies.
- Return of Cultural Heritage AIATSIS is leading the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) program to return Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material held overseas to Australia.
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AIATSIS launches new website

Mon, 16 Mar 2015

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) has a brand new website.

When AIATSIS formed in 1964, we set out on a journey to preserve the knowledge, culture and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – past and present. This is our next step in our journey to preserve and share this knowledge.

“This new online space reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and contemporary lifestyles. It builds on our 50th anniversary celebrations throughout 2014,” said AIATSIS Community and Public Relations Director John Paul Janke.

“The website is a starting point for anyone looking to understand and learn more about our history and culture. I think we can all be really proud of this new website, which will help Australia become truly proud of almost 60,000 years of culture and history.”

As well as a new look and improved functionality, the new website includes:

Explore – This is a completely new section of the website, where we provide information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and history through videos, images and written information.
Online exhibitions – We have revitalised a range of online exhibitions which enhance and provide curated information on digitised collection items that relate to important events or cultural experiences for Indigenous Australians.

“The entire team at AIATSIS has worked hard to deliver a new and intuitive website. I encourage you to visit the website to discover information on and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture, history and the wonderful contributions to the making of our nation,” said John Paul Janke.

“My favourite part of the new website is the revamped 1965 Freedom Ride exhibition, which shares very personal stories from Anne Curthoys and Charlie Perkins on quite an important journey for Australia.”

We hope that you enjoy the new website and finding new additions as much as we enjoy sharing them with you. By visiting the new AIATSIS website, www.aiatsis.gov.au, you are now part of this journey.

Media enquiries

P: 02 6246 1605
commsmedia@aiatsis.gov.au

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Last updated: 12 July 2023