Afternoon Lightning Talks
Tracks
The Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration Symposium
| Friday, October 25, 2024 |
| 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM |
| Bealey B4+B5 |
Speaker
Gillian Moody
Senior Manager, First Nations Engagement
National Film And Sound Archive Of Australia
DIGITAL REPATRIATION/RETURN: Principles, Protocols & Practice
Abstract
How the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is connecting
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities to their kin and
culture through accessible Archives.
Gillian Moody-Ardler from the NFSA will discuss how guided by First
Nations peoples they have co-designed best practice archiving
models and cultural protocols. Providing firsthand perspectives on
the significant impact digitally repatriating this material back to its
Traditional Owners has had on the maintenance and revitalisation of
cultural practices and traditional languages.
She will present a case study on the Central Australian Aboriginal
Digitisation Project which digitally preserved and repatriated the film
and audio from the Strehlow Collection, one of the most important
collections relating to Indigenous ceremonial life in the world.
Most of this material relates to 'men's-only' sacred and secret
ceremonies so core to this project was the development of a set of
cultural protocols to ensure the strict handling and safety of the
material.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities to their kin and
culture through accessible Archives.
Gillian Moody-Ardler from the NFSA will discuss how guided by First
Nations peoples they have co-designed best practice archiving
models and cultural protocols. Providing firsthand perspectives on
the significant impact digitally repatriating this material back to its
Traditional Owners has had on the maintenance and revitalisation of
cultural practices and traditional languages.
She will present a case study on the Central Australian Aboriginal
Digitisation Project which digitally preserved and repatriated the film
and audio from the Strehlow Collection, one of the most important
collections relating to Indigenous ceremonial life in the world.
Most of this material relates to 'men's-only' sacred and secret
ceremonies so core to this project was the development of a set of
cultural protocols to ensure the strict handling and safety of the
material.
Biography
Gillian Moody-Ardler is a proud Wodi Wodi/Dharawal woman who lives and works on Gadigal Country. Her Country and family
connections are with Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community in Jervis Bay, ACT. In 2022 Gillian joined the National Film and Sound
Archive as the Snr Manager, First Nations Engagement bringing a creative skills base from working in the First Nations film and
television sector for 30 years in both management and production roles. Her work across narrative and factual storytelling has
screened on SBS, ABC, NITV and 10Play. Gillian is passionate in sharing First Nations stories and sees her role at the NFSA as a
great opportunity to reach our communities, to collaborate across the GLAM sector and centre Indigenous voices and items from
the collection in the telling of our national story.
Helen Chadwick
Manager Archive
State Records Of South Australia
Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration and improving access to South Australian records
Abstract
State Records of South Australia has sought to be a leader in the
implementation of the Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration, following the
adoption of the Declaration on Kaurna country where the State
Records archive is held and stap undertake their work.
This talk will reflect on the actions State Records has taken towards
incorporating the Declaration into our work, with a focus on the
Declaration’s theme Research and Access.
Access to information created by the South Australian government
about Aboriginal people in South Australia is crucial for Stolen
Generations survivors and redress applications but can often be a
lengthy and bureaucratic process. Improving how information can
be accessed alongside the Research and Access theme and
commitments have been at the forefront of discussions with State
Records’ Aboriginal Reference Group (established in partnership
with the State Library of South Australia) and features heavily in
State Records’ action plan in response to the Tandanya-Adelaide
Declaration. This has led directly to a working group, including
Aboriginal Reference Group members, currently developing an
improved access process for one group of records that are
commonly requested through State Records’ Aboriginal Access
Services.
In 2024 State Records is reviewing the initial action plan and is
recommitting to fulfilling the themes of the Tandanya-Adelaide
Declaration. This includes the challenges of archival, technological
and legislative issues for embedding Indigenous data sovereignty
and a right of reply into our work.
implementation of the Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration, following the
adoption of the Declaration on Kaurna country where the State
Records archive is held and stap undertake their work.
This talk will reflect on the actions State Records has taken towards
incorporating the Declaration into our work, with a focus on the
Declaration’s theme Research and Access.
Access to information created by the South Australian government
about Aboriginal people in South Australia is crucial for Stolen
Generations survivors and redress applications but can often be a
lengthy and bureaucratic process. Improving how information can
be accessed alongside the Research and Access theme and
commitments have been at the forefront of discussions with State
Records’ Aboriginal Reference Group (established in partnership
with the State Library of South Australia) and features heavily in
State Records’ action plan in response to the Tandanya-Adelaide
Declaration. This has led directly to a working group, including
Aboriginal Reference Group members, currently developing an
improved access process for one group of records that are
commonly requested through State Records’ Aboriginal Access
Services.
In 2024 State Records is reviewing the initial action plan and is
recommitting to fulfilling the themes of the Tandanya-Adelaide
Declaration. This includes the challenges of archival, technological
and legislative issues for embedding Indigenous data sovereignty
and a right of reply into our work.
Biography
A dynamic and dedicated leader responsible for managing the South Australian Government archive, Helen Chadwick has been
involved with providing and improving access to State Records of South Australia’s archives collection for the past 13 years. Helen
is passionate about how access to records and understanding history can positively impact culture and society. She is currently
working on a collaborative approach to changing access procedures for records that hold information about Aboriginal people in
South Australia.
Ms Gulwanyang Moran
Manager First Nations Community Access to Archives Team
Museums Of History Nsw
Operationalising the Tandanya Declaration in the First Nations Community Access to Archives Project MHNSW
Abstract
An increased focus can be recognised of archival institutions in
Australia making steps towards facilitating greater access to
language and cultural materials for First Nations peoples through
various projects and programs in the wake of the Tandanya –
Adelaide Declaration 2019 (Barrowclipe, et al, 2021). This focus has
supported an understanding in First Nations language communities
globally of the role of archival institutions and the materials they
hold within language analysis and revitalisation work (Burke, 2023).
Facilitating greater access to archival materials brings forward
several opportunities to conduct analysis work with unearthed
materials or reanalyse existing materials. Analysis and reanalysis
led by First Nations peoples can foster a deeper understanding of
the cultural context by which the language is placed and bring sense
making to the documented language. This analysis work contributes
to a revitalision that goes beyond the study of language as an object
explained through its properties of phonology, grammar, lexicon and
syntax; It facilitates a reclamation of cultural and social practice
that First Nations languages sits (Leonard, 2020). Without First
Nations led analysis work there is a high probability that the output
is a colonized version of an ancestral language.
In this presentation we will share a project led by First Nations
archive workers to facilitate greater First Nations access to archival
materials in the State Archive Collection in Museums of History
NSW in partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust. We
will share the indexing approach, language analysis and
identification, and the plans for preservation and access. We
highlight the importance of building capability and relationships
among First Nations language communities and linguists working
with NSW languages, their understanding of the role of archival
institutions and materials within revitalisation and reclamation
work.
References
Barrowclipe, R., Booker, L., McKemmish, S., & Thorpe, K. (2021).
Activating and supporting the Tandanya Adelaide Declaration on
Indigenous Archives. Archives and Manuscripts, 49(3), 167-185.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01576895.2021.1961086
Burke, Mary. (2023). Designing Archival Collections to Support
Language Revitalization: Case Study of the Boro Language
Resource, dissertation; Denton, Texas.
(https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2137570/:
accessed June 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT
Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu
Leonard, Wesley. (2020). Musings on Native American Language
Reclamation and Sociolinguistics.. Items. 10.1515/ijsl-2020-2086.
Australia making steps towards facilitating greater access to
language and cultural materials for First Nations peoples through
various projects and programs in the wake of the Tandanya –
Adelaide Declaration 2019 (Barrowclipe, et al, 2021). This focus has
supported an understanding in First Nations language communities
globally of the role of archival institutions and the materials they
hold within language analysis and revitalisation work (Burke, 2023).
Facilitating greater access to archival materials brings forward
several opportunities to conduct analysis work with unearthed
materials or reanalyse existing materials. Analysis and reanalysis
led by First Nations peoples can foster a deeper understanding of
the cultural context by which the language is placed and bring sense
making to the documented language. This analysis work contributes
to a revitalision that goes beyond the study of language as an object
explained through its properties of phonology, grammar, lexicon and
syntax; It facilitates a reclamation of cultural and social practice
that First Nations languages sits (Leonard, 2020). Without First
Nations led analysis work there is a high probability that the output
is a colonized version of an ancestral language.
In this presentation we will share a project led by First Nations
archive workers to facilitate greater First Nations access to archival
materials in the State Archive Collection in Museums of History
NSW in partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust. We
will share the indexing approach, language analysis and
identification, and the plans for preservation and access. We
highlight the importance of building capability and relationships
among First Nations language communities and linguists working
with NSW languages, their understanding of the role of archival
institutions and materials within revitalisation and reclamation
work.
References
Barrowclipe, R., Booker, L., McKemmish, S., & Thorpe, K. (2021).
Activating and supporting the Tandanya Adelaide Declaration on
Indigenous Archives. Archives and Manuscripts, 49(3), 167-185.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01576895.2021.1961086
Burke, Mary. (2023). Designing Archival Collections to Support
Language Revitalization: Case Study of the Boro Language
Resource, dissertation; Denton, Texas.
(https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2137570/:
accessed June 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT
Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu
Leonard, Wesley. (2020). Musings on Native American Language
Reclamation and Sociolinguistics.. Items. 10.1515/ijsl-2020-2086.
Biography
Gulwanyang Moran is a proud Birrbay and Dhanggati woman of the Gathang language group and Manager of the First Nations
Community Access to Archives team at MHNSW. Gulwanyang is a power-conscious and experienced leader with over 20 years’
experience in Cultural Capability education and praxis. A passionate advocate of cultures and languages, Gulwanyang brings a
wealth of knowledge working on the ground in her own peoples’ language and cultural reclamation work. Truth-telling,
rematriation, anti-colonialism and supporting First Nations archivists centres the work she does within the galleries, libraries,
archives and museums (GLAM) sector. Through facilitating statewide language education and cultural programs, she maintains
her understanding of the aspirations and needs of language revitalisation communities. Gulwanyang holds a Master of Indigenous
Languages Education and informs national policy through the National Language Policy Partnership group as an independent
community representative.
Jasmyn is a proud Wotjobaluk woman of the Wergaia language group and is accepted by the Wiradjuri and Dharug communities. Jasmyn is the Senior Advisor in the First Nations Community Access to Archives team and joins us from the NSW Premier’s Department where she was the project lead working on the delivery of three community-based programs supporting social cohesion in NSW. She also founded and chaired the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stap–led network for the department. Jasmyn’s educational background is in psychology, criminology and Aboriginal studies and she is passionate about working with community and prioritising truth-telling. She hopes to use her experience and knowledge to support the delivery of the First Nations Community Access to Archives project and to build trust between community and government.
Jasmyn is a proud Wotjobaluk woman of the Wergaia language group and is accepted by the Wiradjuri and Dharug communities. Jasmyn is the Senior Advisor in the First Nations Community Access to Archives team and joins us from the NSW Premier’s Department where she was the project lead working on the delivery of three community-based programs supporting social cohesion in NSW. She also founded and chaired the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stap–led network for the department. Jasmyn’s educational background is in psychology, criminology and Aboriginal studies and she is passionate about working with community and prioritising truth-telling. She hopes to use her experience and knowledge to support the delivery of the First Nations Community Access to Archives project and to build trust between community and government.
Mr Steven Gagau
Researcher
PARADISEC, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
Toksave Culture Talks Podcast – An Outreach for Access and Collaborative Research approach to Opening the Archives
Abstract
PARADISEC (the Pacific And Regional Archive for Digital Sources in
Endangered Cultures) is a digital archive of records of some of the
many small cultures and languages of the world, particularly from
the Pacific region. Whilst not a signatory to the Tandanya-Adelaide
Declaration yet, we will present on ways that PARADISEC works to
recognise Indigenous knowledge holders and the importance of
reciprocal collaborations and co-authorship, as well as providing
access to records containing Indigenous cultural expression and
languages.
This presentation will discuss the role of Steven Gagau as an
Indigenous Tolai of the Gunantuna people of New Britain Island in
Papua New Guinea and his work as co-producer of the Toksave:
Culture Talks podcast with Jodie Kell. The podcast is a series of
interviews with people who have cultural and personal connections
to collections in the PARADISEC archive. The podcast is not just
about broadcasting the final product, rather we will demonstrate
how we have developed a process that aims to amplify the voices of
Indigenous collaborators and enable their participation in
enhancing metadata related to archival materials.
We focus on a recent project initiated by Deveni Temu and the PNG
Peroveta Singers of Canberra. Engaging with archival collections,
they responded through song and cultural dance. This was recorded
by the PARADISEC team and archives as their own collection of
films, text and audio recordings, working closely with Steven, who
acts as an intermediary in the archival space. This project
demonstrates how the qualities of reciprocity, long term
relationships and the valuing of Indigenous knowledge holders can
invigorate cultural practices and add value and meaning to the
archive. We explore how this project connects to the Tandanya-
Adelaide declaration themes and contributes to PARADISEC as an
ethical space of engagement, encounter, respect, negotiation and
collaboration.
Endangered Cultures) is a digital archive of records of some of the
many small cultures and languages of the world, particularly from
the Pacific region. Whilst not a signatory to the Tandanya-Adelaide
Declaration yet, we will present on ways that PARADISEC works to
recognise Indigenous knowledge holders and the importance of
reciprocal collaborations and co-authorship, as well as providing
access to records containing Indigenous cultural expression and
languages.
This presentation will discuss the role of Steven Gagau as an
Indigenous Tolai of the Gunantuna people of New Britain Island in
Papua New Guinea and his work as co-producer of the Toksave:
Culture Talks podcast with Jodie Kell. The podcast is a series of
interviews with people who have cultural and personal connections
to collections in the PARADISEC archive. The podcast is not just
about broadcasting the final product, rather we will demonstrate
how we have developed a process that aims to amplify the voices of
Indigenous collaborators and enable their participation in
enhancing metadata related to archival materials.
We focus on a recent project initiated by Deveni Temu and the PNG
Peroveta Singers of Canberra. Engaging with archival collections,
they responded through song and cultural dance. This was recorded
by the PARADISEC team and archives as their own collection of
films, text and audio recordings, working closely with Steven, who
acts as an intermediary in the archival space. This project
demonstrates how the qualities of reciprocity, long term
relationships and the valuing of Indigenous knowledge holders can
invigorate cultural practices and add value and meaning to the
archive. We explore how this project connects to the Tandanya-
Adelaide declaration themes and contributes to PARADISEC as an
ethical space of engagement, encounter, respect, negotiation and
collaboration.
Biography
Steven Gagau is a cultural researcher, associate curator and community collaborator with the University of Sydney. He works at
PARADISEC focusing on archival and curatorial metadata enrichment on Melanesian Pacific collections. Steven’s cultural heritage
is Tolai of Gunantuna people of New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea. He is a diaspora community leader for PNG, Melanesia
and Pasifika communities in Sydney NSW, Pacific Collections cultural advisor and curator at Sydney University’s Chau Chak Wing
Museum and the Australian Museum. Steven is the co-producer of the Toksave Culture Talks Podcast series.
Jodie Kell is an audio engineer and musician at the University of Sydney. As well as researching for her doctorate on women’s music in West Arnhem Land, she manages the Sydney Opice of PARADISEC. She utilises her technical skills to ensure the PARADISEC workflows adhere to international archiving standards, and she is interested in projects that promote accessibility and findability for communities with cultural connections to heritage recordings. Jodie is the co-producer of the Toksave Culture Talks Podcast series.
Jodie Kell is an audio engineer and musician at the University of Sydney. As well as researching for her doctorate on women’s music in West Arnhem Land, she manages the Sydney Opice of PARADISEC. She utilises her technical skills to ensure the PARADISEC workflows adhere to international archiving standards, and she is interested in projects that promote accessibility and findability for communities with cultural connections to heritage recordings. Jodie is the co-producer of the Toksave Culture Talks Podcast series.
