The National Archives of Australia (NAA) has introduced new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols aimed at engaging Indigenous communities in the management of records.
Director-General of the NAA, David Fricker said Our Way: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols would deepen the Archives’ relationship with Indigenous communities around Australia.
“We have long-running connections with Australia’s First Nations people and the culturally appropriate management and provision of records relating to them,” Mr Fricker said.
“The National Archives has a commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Council on Archives Tandanya — Adelaide Declaration of 2019 .”
He said the Adelaide Declaration called for archives of the world “to re-imagine the meaning of archives as an engaging model of social memory; to embrace the Indigenous worldviews and methods of creating, sharing and preserving valued knowledge”.
“Our Way doubles down on this commitment with clear actions set out under five overarching thematic protocols that have as their headings Leadership, Rights, Access, Authority and Acknowledgement,” Mr Fricker said
Director of the newly-formed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at NAA, Phyllis Williams said the section would build on past and continuing work through demonstrating the five key protocols.
“Over the next five years, the National Archives will embed these protocols into its fabric, its culture and operations, building a culturally robust organisation fostering trust and collaboration between the National Archives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations,” Ms Williams said.
The 16-page Archives’ Protocols can be accessed at this PS News link.
