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Alice Springs to play host to National Native Title Conference
by John Paul Janke
Registrations to this year’s National Native Title Conference in Alice Springs continue to grow as delegates from across Australia look towards exploring and reflecting on two decades of Native Title to help to shape its future. The Conference - Australia’s largest Indigenous policy gathering - will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre from 3-5 June 2013. The 14th National Native Title Conference 2013 is convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Central Land Council (CLC) on the traditional lands of the Central Arrernte people, the native title holders of the Alice Springs area. This year’s conference theme of Shaping the Future reflects on the 20th Anniversary of the Native Title Act through sub themes of The Native Title Act 20 years on; Where to from here?; Indigenous governance; the Indigenous Estate and development options; and building a future. The Native Title Act was passed by the Keating Labor Government in
National Native Title Conference 2012 keynote speakers June Oscar and Brian Wyatt with conference host, North Queensland Land Council Chairman Errol Neal. Image: Rhonda Hagan
response to the High Court’s decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992). The Act commenced operation on 1 January 1994. The Conference is an opportunity for a diverse range of native title stakeholders from across the country to come together to discuss and highlight the future of native title practice, policy and law. It 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
AIATSIS Staff enjoyed the gala dinner at the 2012 National Native Title Conference held in Townsville, north Queensland. Image: AIATSIS
academics. The Conference program includes keynotes and plenary speeches, dialogue forums, technical workshops, topical workshops and Indigenous talking circles. The Conference has attracted noted author and legal scholar Professor Robert A. Williams Jr. from the University of Arizona as the International Keynote Speaker. Professor Williams is an American lawyer and expert in the field of the Federal Indian Law, International Law and Indigenous Peoples Rights. Each year, the Conference attracts a expanding number of Indigenous organisations, native title holders and claimants, traditional owners, community groups and native title representative bodies who join a host of representatives from the Federal Court, National Native Title Tribunal, Commonwealth and State government agencies and academia. Last year’s Conference, in Townsville, attracted over 750 delegates with a record 170 speakers and presenters. For more information – or to register - visit: www.aiatsis.gov.au or contact 02 6246 1108 and 02 6261 4250 or via email: ntconference@aiatsis.gov.au
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