A week of Celebrating Indigenous Brilliance: The 2024 AIATSIS Summit opens in Naarm (Melbourne)

The 2024 AIATSIS Summit has officially opened in Naarm on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. 

Delegates were welcomed by Perry Wandin along with a superb lineup of opening addresses from First Nations leaders. Commencing with the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Leonard Hill, Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (FPAV), Ngarra Murray, Chair of AIATSIS Council, Jodie Sizer, Ambassador Justin Mohamed, Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People and a Mabo Lecture address by Jamie Lowie, Chief Executive Officer of the National Native Title Council with a personal introduction and welcome by Gail and Kaleb Mabo in honour of Mabo Day.

'This year’s Summit, more than ever, provides a unique opportunity for First Nations peoples from across Australia to come together to discuss the matters which are most important to us and our future,’ commented Ms Sizer.

‘This year’s theme, Celebrating Indigenous Brilliance: Then and Now, is a tribute to the enduring legacy of the longest living culture, which has continued to evolve and thrive in the modern world.  The theme emphasises the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices while embracing contemporary ways and looking towards our bright future.'

‘We are thrilled to have around 1900 delegates (joining us in person and online) and 200 speakers registered to attend Summit 2024 with keynote addresses from national and International leaders in their field, a reflection of the depth and diversity and of brilliance of  First Nations peoples'.

Mr Berg, Co-Chair of the FPAV said, 'We are excited to be co-convening this year’s AIATSIS Summit in Naarm. Representatives from the Assembly will be present all week, exploring the theme of Celebrating Indigenous Brilliance: Then and Now and talking treaty in a range of presentations, workshops, and panel discussions throughout the week’. 

‘I encourage all delegates to join us this week on the beautiful lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to connect, share ideas and keep the big picture conversations going'.

In the concurrent sessions that followed the opening addresses, speakers explored subthemes such as rights, recognition and representation, connection to Country, contemporary innovations, and cultural resilience, with discussions on caring for Country, negotiating settlement agreements, Indigenous clean energy and critical minerals management, post determination and workshops on Indigenous heritage representation.

Sessions over the coming week will consider a range of topics, from Native title, language, Indigenous rights, education, research, and health, to exploring contemporary issues impacting the Galleries, Library, Archive and Museums (GLAM) sector, clean energy, data sovereignty, post determination agreement making and future reforms. 
The AIATSIS Summit provides a unique opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from across Australia to present on issues that are at the forefront of their communities.

For more details, please see -

https://aiatsis.gov.au/whats-new/events/aiatsis-summit-2024

Follow the Summit in real-time on social media: #aiatsisSUMMIT

Media enquiries: Commsmedia@aiatsis.gov.au or M: 0476 843 522