Former Northern Territory politician Karl Hampton has been appointed councillor of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) for a four-year term.

The Warlpiri man from Central Australia was this year appointed director of Indigenous Strategy at the Central Desert Regional Council and is also a member of the Aboriginal Advisory Board for the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Mr Hampton was a Labor MLC from 2006 until 2012, representing the electorate of Stuart, and has become a well-respected leader, researcher, and community historian across many decades.

"I welcome this latest appointment and am confident Mr Hampton's background and expertise will be an asset to AIATSIS and support its efforts to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices across Australia," Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said.

"Mr Hampton's appointment reflects the Institute's commitment to ensuring strong leadership that is deeply rooted in community experience and cultural knowledge.

"I congratulate Mr Hampton on his appointment and look forward to seeing his contribution over the next four years, in building a deeper understanding of First Nations histories and contemporary realities."

AIATSIS is Australia's only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led national cultural institution and has been at the forefront of repatriating a number of historical items back from overseas institutions to their rightful home on Country.

Mr Hampton is a co-founder of the Warlpiri Project, which itself has repatriated hundreds of cultural heritage items from across both the country and the world over the previous five years with the Warlpiri community.

His appointment will support the work of AIATSIS, which has recently opened an office in Alice Springs, in promoting knowledge and understanding of First Nations cultures, institutions, languages and stories.