Queensland State Archives has announced the appointment of its inaugural First Nations Archives Advisor.
Minister for the Digital Economy, Leeanne Enoch congratulated Butchulla woman, Rose Barrowcliffe (pictured) on securing the role.
“This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week is Heal Country! and that is exactly what this appointment is aiming to do — ensuring our State’s archives have an accurate representation of First Nations’ voices and history,” Ms Enoch said.
“Ms Barrowcliffe is the perfect candidate for this role, currently undertaking research at the University of the Sunshine Coast on the representation of Indigenous peoples in archives and historical narratives.”
Ms Enoch said many aspects of First Nations perspectives had been absent in historical Government records, leaving a narrative that did not include those important voices.
“Queensland State Archives holds the evidence of our uncomfortable shared past and has a crucial role to play in supporting the Path to Treaty’s commitment to truth-telling,” she said.
“It is our duty to not shy away from these truths, but to hear and learn from them, so we can continue on the path towards healing.”
Ms Barrowcliffe said her role at Archives closely aligned with her doctoral research which examined the ways representation of Indigenous peoples in archives could impact historical narratives.
“Truth-telling is a crucial step to moving Queensland forward in a way that respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as its First Peoples and archives need to play a key part in that process,” she said.
“It is always a challenge to be asked to be a representative of such a large and diverse group of people, and this is something I will be mindful of as the First Nations Archives Advisor,” Ms Barrowcliffe said.
