Our vision is a world in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultures are recognised, respected, celebrated and valued.
Our mission
- To tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.
- Create opportunities for people to encounter, engage with and be transformed by that story.
- Support and facilitate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural resurgence.
- Shape our national narrative.
Our functions are established under the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989.
Our functions
- to develop, preserve and provide access to a national collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;
- to use that national collection to strengthen and promote knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;
- to provide leadership in the fields of:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research; and
- ethics and protocols for research, and other activities relating to collections, related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
- use (including use for research) of that national collection and other collections containing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;
- to lead and promote collaborations and partnerships among the academic, research, non-government, business and government sectors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in support of the other functions of the Institute;
- to provide advice to the Commonwealth on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.