Registration opens for Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference

Registrations are now open for the 2010 National Native Title Conference – Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conference - which will be held in Canberra in June.

Convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and National Native Title Council, the annual conference will be held in the national capital from 1-3 June and will be hosted by the Ngunnawal peoples, the traditional owners of the Canberra area.

Professor Mick Dodson AM, AIATSIS Chairperson, says that this year’s conference theme of People, Place, Power is specifically aimed at reflecting the significance of holding the event in Canberra.

“Canberra is where the major legal and policy decisions about native title have been made, and it’s where legislation is still being discussed and formulated.”

Professor Dodson said that the conference is the most important event on the annual calendar for the collective discussion of native title issues as it provides an opportunity for Australia's best thinkers on Indigenous issues to present current research, concepts, and policy direction.

“No other national forum fosters knowledge in this dynamic area of law and agreement making and gives native title parties a chance to share information and experiences.”

Professor Dodson said that the Conference is expected to attract over 700 delegates from across Australia drawn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, legal practitioners, private and corporate sectors involved in native title, land, natural resource and water management, native title representative bodies/service providers, academics, NGO service providers and federal and state government departments and agencies.

“While this conference promotes public debate about native title and Indigenous peoples’ interests in land and waters we must remember that Native Title is not just a piece of legislation - it is about Traditional Ownership of land and waters by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Professor Dodson said.

“Through workshops, speeches and keynote speakers - this year’s conference will address the contemporary issues including governing native title land, housing, tenure and community development, environment, conservation and joint management, the national policy framework and proposed National Partnership Agreement and the reforms to the Native Title Act.

Professor Dodson urged those interested in native title to register to attend the conference by Friday 13 May, 2010, when registrations close.

The Conference is proudly brought to you by Principal Sponsor, the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and sponsors Newmont Asia Pacific, the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department, Indigenous Business Australia, the National Native Title Tribunal and the CSIRO.

Registration forms are available at the conference website: through www.aiatsis.gov.au