The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is pleased to announce the National Native Title Conference 2020 will be hosted by the Minjungbal Bundjalung People and their Elders on their traditional lands in Tweed Heads, NSW, from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 May, 2020.
The conference will be co-convened with NTSCORP, the Native Title Service Provider for Aboriginal Traditional Owners in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Delegates from the 2018 AIATSIS National Native Title Conference in Broome. Photo: AIATSIS
Delegates from the 2018 AIATSIS National Native Title Conference in Broome. Photo: AIATSIS
AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie praised NTSCORP’s contribution to native title and said he is looking forward to teaming up for another successful event on Bundjalung Country.
“Our organisations both have long proud histories in improving outcomes in the native title sector and I am excited to continue that legacy by co-convening this nationally significant event with NTSCORP,” Mr Ritchie said.
“The last AIATSIS National Native Title Conference in 2018 attracted over 900 delegates to Broome, WA, to celebrate milestones and accomplishments, and address ongoing challenges in the sector. I’m sure this conference will be worth the wait and I thank the Minjungbal Bundjalung People and their Elders for hosting us all on their Country.”
The AIATSIS National Native Title Conference, which began in 2001, is now run on a biennial basis (every two years) and has built a reputation for being one of the most significant national gatherings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NTSCORP CEO Natalie Rotumah welcomed the opportunity to co-host the conference on her traditional country.
“As a proud Minjungbal Bundjalung woman, it is an honour and privilege to bring the conference to my ancestral home. I look forward to working with AIATSIS and my Elders over the coming year to organise an event that will showcase our culture and provide a respectful forum for mobs to come together and yarn about native title business,” Mrs Rotumah said.
NTSCORP Chairperson Michael Bell, a proud Ngunnawal and Gomeroi man, expressed his delight at the announcement.
“We have successfully co-convened the conference twice before with AIATSIS in 2005 and 2014 at Coffs Harbour and I am confident that the 2020 conference on Minjungbal Bundjalung lands will be a success,” Mr Bell said.
“It is inspiring to see communities from across Australia come together to share ideas and discuss ways to build a better future for our people.”
We look forward to seeing you in Tweed Heads in 2020.
Media enquiries
Commsmedia@aiatsis.gov.au or P: 02 6246 1605