The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, of the appointment of Karl Hampton as Chair and Professor Brenda L Croft as Deputy Chair of the AIATSIS Council.

These appointments bring together two highly respected leaders whose deep cultural knowledge, professional expertise and long-standing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will help guide AIATSIS into its next chapter.

Karl Hampton is a Warlpiri/Ngulakan/Mara man from Mparntwe/Alice Springs with more than 37 years of experience working across Central Australia. He is currently Managing Director of his own business and has held senior roles in the Northern Territory Government, including Regional Director for Yuendumu. Mr Hampton is a Senior Atlantic Global Fellow and co-founder of the Warlpiri Project, which recently led a delegation to Germany for the repatriation of Walpiri artefacts. His background includes 11 years as both a Member of NT Parliament and as a political adviser.

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Hampton said:

“I thank my fellow councillors on the AIATSIS Board for electing me as the Chairperson. It’s an absolute honour and I’m excited about what opportunities this appointment brings. I look forward to working with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in preserving, revitalising and keeping their culture strong, Ngurrju nyayirni Kuja Waja” (Warlpiri words meaning, “Very good and thank you”).

Professor Croft is a Gurindji/Malngin/Mudburra woman from the Victoria River region of the Northern Territory. She is a renowned multidisciplinary creative practitioner and academic, currently Professor of Indigenous Art History and Curatorship at the Australian National University. Professor Croft has played a leading role in national and international First Nations arts and cultural sectors for more than four decades and was the 2024 Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Chair of Australian Studies at Harvard University.

Professor Croft reflected:

“Being elected to the AIATSIS Council by members is a great privilege, as is my appointment as Deputy Chair for the first all-Indigenous Council – a privilege I do not take for granted.

I am very much looking forward to working closely with my fellow Council members, the AIATSIS Secretariat and for First Nations communities whose cultural material is cared for in the AIATSIS collection.

As a First Nations academic, I believe in supporting culturally appropriate research by, for and with First Nations communities and believe that AIATSIS should lead the way in this area.”

AIATSIS CEO Leonard Hill said:

“We look forward to working closely with Karl and Brenda to strengthen the impact of AIATSIS. Their leadership will help us build on our foundations, focus on key strategic priorities, and continue to grow and sustain AIATSIS’ reputation as a trusted national cultural institution.”

The Council provides governance and strategic oversight for AIATSIS, supporting its mission to promote knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, traditions, languages and histories.

The current AIATSIS Council consists of Karl Hampton (Chair), Professor Brenda L Croft (Deputy Chair), Rodney Dillon, Jayde Geia, Emeritus Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Professor Lynette Riley AO, Ashley Walker, and Mark Yettica-Paulson.

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AIATSIS Council information:

https://aiatsis.gov.au/about/who-we-are/governance-and-structure/council

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