By John Paul Janke
Registrations for the 2012 National Native Title Conference in Townsville in early June are now open.
The Conference - which is expected to attract some 700 delegates - provides 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.
Convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)) and the North Queensland Land Council (NQLC), the Conference will be held at Townsville’s Entertainment and Convention Centre from 4-6 June.
Importantly the Conference will follow major celebrations in Townsville on the weekend of 2-3 June officially marking the 20th Anniversary of the High Court’s decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2), more commonly known as the Mabo Decision
This year's Conference theme - Echoes of Mabo: Honour and Determination - was chosen to celebrate and honour the 20th anniversary. The Conference will address sub themes of Recognition, Reform, Revolution; Leadership and Legacies; Families and Youth; and Culture and Country.
The annual National Native Title Conference is the leading annual professional development event for staff of native title representative bodies/service providers and relevant government agencies, as well as independent native title practitioners and academics.
The conference will feature three days of presentations on Native title including formats: keynotes and plenary speeches, debate forums, technical workshops, topical workshops, and Indigenous talking circles. Through this structure the Conference promotes public debate about native title and Indigenous peoples’ interests in land and waters and provides an opportunity for native title parties to share information and experiences.
To register - or for more information on the 2012 National Native Title Conference please contact the Native Title Research Unit on Tel: 02 6261 4250 or 02 6246 1108 or simply visit www.aiatsis.gov.au.
T: 02 6246 1123 F: 02 6249 7714 M: 0408 600 867
