The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies has welcomed the announcement by Indigenous affairs minister Linda Burney of plans build a revamped Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct.
Speaking at the AIATSIS summit in Narrm this week, Minister Burney said the cultural precinct on the Acton Peninsular in Canberra would be a place "where Australians – including us – students, and international visitors can learn, experience and engage with over 65,000 years of culture, tradition, and story".
AIATSIS said Ngurra will enhance the institute's position as "Australia's only national cultural institution exclusively dedicated to telling the stories of Australia's First Peoples, their history and their cultures".
As part of the plan, AIATSIS' current premises will receive an upgrade, and be expanded to include the National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre.
"The Centre will affirm the position of AIATSIS as a national cultural institution focused on the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," Minister Burney said.
AIATSIS Council chair Jodie Sizer said Ngurra, in encompassing the new knowledge centre, "will ensure that modern, fit-for-purpose and world-class facilities are developed to protect and share our collections for decades to come".
"This internationally revered and critically important national asset deserves world-class facilities to continue to nurture and safeguard its significance," Sizer said.
Building a better Ngurra will ensure the world's oldest living cultures can be celebrated by all.
It will be an iconic National Cultural Institution that tells our story and history. pic.twitter.com/pWpwlPFfn6
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) June 6, 2024
The upgrading of the facilities is a recognition of the significance of AISTSIS, which is home to a large and unique collection of academic research materials and works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge keepers, artists, film makers, storytellers and writers.
"We will also build a National Resting Place to house and care for First Nations ancestral remains without provenance – and those waiting to return to country," Ms Burney said.
The decision was made in consultation with Traditional Owners in the Canberra region and the AIATSIS leadership.
Interim chief executive Leonard Hill said the National Resting Place will house and care for "limited provenance Ancestors repatriated from overseas in a culturally appropriate way and with deep respect".
"The repatriation of Ancestors and cultural heritage material offers healing to First Nations peoples and allows communities to fulfill cultural obligations by returning Ancestors to Country," Mr Hill said, noting the support of this work was a vital part of the truth-telling process.
Minister Burney agreed, calling it "bricks and mortar truth-telling" and labelling the site a "place where our history can be recognised and celebrated."
Mr Hill said the National Resting Place will be a private and quiet place on the Acton Peninsula and will provide a "reverent, respectful place for Ancestors to be cared for according to cultural protocols until their return to Country - the realisation of a long-held aspiration of First Nations communities".
AIATSIS acknowledged the "(federal) government prioritising our vision to create a world in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights, knowledge, culture and stories are recognised, respected, celebrated and valued".
"As we celebrate a significant milestone this year – our 60th anniversary, we reflect on how far we have come and the opportunities Ngurra presents," the organisation said in a statement.
