Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
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The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is an independent Australian Government statutory authority. It is Australia's premier institution for information about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is located on Acton Peninsula in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
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[edit] History
The "Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies" (AIAS) started with an interim Council started in 1961 and was established under an Act of Parliament in 1964.
It had a twenty-two member Council and a foundation membership of one hundred and its work increased cross disciplinary interaction leading to 'Aboriginal studies' beginning.
The AIAS Act was replaced by the AIATSIS Act in 1989. The new Act also created a Research Advisory Committee and reduced the size of the Council to nine members, four of whom are elected while five are appointed.
[edit] Council
There is a Council of nine members, four elected by the Institute's membership and five members, who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islanders appointed by the Minister.
Current AIATSIS Council members are:
- Professor Michael "Mick" Dodson, AM - Chairperson
- Emer. Professor Robert Tonkinson - Deputy Chairperson
- Mr Eric (Dickie) Bedford
- Professor Larissa Behrendt
- Ms Jackie Huggins, AM
- Ms Raymattja Marika
- Ms Natascha McNamara, AM, MBE
- Professor Martin Nakata
- Mr Michael Williams
[edit] Research Advisory Committee
- Mr. Steve Larkin, Chairperson (Principal)
- Mr. Kim Akerman (Archaeology)
- Professor Larissa Behrendt (Council representative)
- Ms. Jeanie Bell (Linguistics)
- Ms. Brenda Croft (Arts)
- Professor Ann Curthoys (History)
- Dr. Gaynor Macdonald (Anthropology)
- Professor Martin Nakata (Council representative)
- Emer. Professor Garth Nettheim, AO (Public Policy, Politics & Law)
- Dr. Colin Pardoe (Health & Biological Sciences)
- Mr. Lester-Irabinna Rigney (Education & Cultural Transmission)
- Mr. Michael Williams (Council representative)
