The Gumbaynggirr Elders Choir perform songs in language during the welcome reception.
Traditional owners, the Gumbaynggirr people performed the welcome to country, followed by the Gumbaynggirr Elders Choir, singing songs in traditional Gumbaynggirr, traditional and contemporary dances from Wajad Ngaarlu, Orara High School and regional NSW rock band Terra Firma.
Convened in conjunction with NTSCORP Limited, the conference promotes public debate about native title and provides an opportunity for native title parties to share information and experiences.
AIATSIS Chair, Professor Mick Dodson said the conference is a unique opportunity for a diverse range of native title stakeholders from across the country to come together to review current native title practice, policy and law.
“The National Native Title Conference is recognised as the leading Indigenous policy conference in Australia,” said Professor Dodson. “It is also the leading annual professional development event for staff of native title representative bodies, service providers, relevant government agencies, independent native title practitioners and academics.”
Conference keynote speaker Dr Wen‐Chi Kung, a Member of the Tayal tribe of Taiwan and an elected Member of the Legislative Yuan, the National Parliament of Taiwan, has been advocating for recognition of the rights of indigenous Taiwanese for many years.
Dr Wen-Chi Kung will give a brief introduction to Taiwan’s Indigenous people and the conflicts between Indigenous claims for native title and the government’s insistence on owning public land.
Monday also marks 50 years since the Act of Parliament forming AIATSIS, formerly known as the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS), was given royal assent on 2 June 1964.
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