Kirsten Thorpe

• Doctor of Philosophy
• University of Technology Sydney

This paper discusses the role and importance of Indigenous research methodologies in building spaces for Indigenous-led archival futures in Australia. It considers the development of professional statements of support for advancing First Nations engagement and Indigenous self-determination in the archives as an example of where Indigenous research...

This paper explores the holistic needs of First Nations people in the archives to control their cultural heritage materials with dignity and respect. It highlights the importance of the archives supporting Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Indigenous people’s spiritual and emotional needs are addressed by considering the support for Indi...

The complex history of Indigenous and colonizer relations in Australia has significantly impacted the terms of engagement between Indigenous peoples with libraries and archives. The library and archive sectors are now being challenged to be responsive to Indigenous calls for action for better representation and engagement with institutions and with...

This article discusses the outcomes of the research project National Survey on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment in Australian Libraries, conducted from 2020 to 2021. The research provided a snapshot of the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in Australian libraries and identifies the current employment ty...

Concerns for the appropriate protection and management of Indigenous people’s heritage materials held in Australian cultural institutions is increasing. Across the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) sector, many insti­tutions are beginning to examine ways to redress and reconcile tensions that have resulted from the long histories of...

I Indigenous peoples in Australia have been heavily documented in colonial archives and collections. The past two decades have seen significant materials from Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) institutions being returned to Indigenous communities in Australia through physical or digital repatriation of materials. The digital return...

This article discusses opportunities for activating and supporting the International Council on Archives Tandanya – Adelaide Declaration on Indigenous Archives. It discusses the background and context of the Declaration and reflects on pathways for it to be enacted. This article draws from a panel discussion ‘Supporting and Activating the Adelaide...

Libraries and archives are troubling spaces for Indigenous Australian people as they are sites of renewal and truth-telling as well as sites of deep tension. The topic of people’s cultural safety in libraries and archives is one that is being commonly discussed. However, limited research has been undertaken on the topic to reveal the issues and con...

This paper introduces the Charter of Lifelong Rights in Childhood Recordkeeping in Out-of-Home Care, centred on the critical, lifelong and diverse information and recordkeeping needs of Australian and Indigenous Australian children and adults who are experiencing, or have experienced Out-of-Home Care. The Charter is underpinned by the findings of t...

In the original publication of the article, the term “Indigenous” in the title was not capitalized. As the article is specifically referring to Indigenous people in Australia, the correct article title should be as given below.

Repatriation of Indigenous Ancestral Remains does not end with their return to Country. There are archival records and associated materials that often also need to go home in some way. With archival research about Indigenous Ancestral remains often restricted to material connected to collectors, departments, and archaeological sites where Ancestors...

This paper presents the aims and findings of two research projects—Rights in Records by Design and Indigenous Archiving and Cultural Safety—making particular reference to the ways in which Australia’s current child welfare systems and their recordkeeping and archival praxis have been indelibly shaped by colonization and its legacies, which persist...

The concept of cultural competency is an emerging theme and area of interest in Australian libraries and archives. As more Indigenous people enter the profession, the more we have seen a push for recognition of Indigenous ways of knowing. A culturally competent profession would enable librarians, archivists and information professionals to be more...

Community Archives, Community Spaces: Heritage, Memory and Identity - by Jeannette A. Bastian October 2018

This article discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion in the design of public library services. Drawing on a case study from the State Library of New South Wales in Australia, the article will outline the focused action of developing an Indigenous Services Business Plan. The Plan promotes inclusion and diversity across the organization t...

Promoting and facilitating access to historical collections for Indigenous communities has recently increased across Australia. Such activities have been integrated into the practices of archives and libraries seeking to reunite Indigenous people with materials that not only document their past but also inform their future. Challenges in accessing...

Poster presentation at 2015 ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language Theme: Open

The State Library of New South Wales holds the world's most extensive collection on the European exploration and colonisation of Australia and its region and the subsequent development of Australia. Much is held about the Indigenous peoples, some created by Indigenous artists and chroniclers but the majority by others including explorers, governmen...

Indigenous Knowledge is important for Indigenous communities across the globe and for the advancement of our general scientific knowledge. In particular, Indigenous astronomical knowledge integrates many aspects of Indigenous Knowledge, including seasonal calendars, navigation, food economics, law, ceremony, and social structure. We aim to develop...

The management of Indigenous records and collections presents challenges to traditional archival methods and practice. Indigenous issues relating to the management of archives are important questions that should be discussed and considered broadly by the profession. In this paper, I will draw on my own professional and personal experiences of worki...

The State Library of New South Wales (SLNSW) has embarked on a significant project to identify and make accessible materials in its collection relating to Indigenous Australian languages. The project Rediscovering Indigenous Languages seeks to reconnect Indigenous Australia people and the wider Australian community to word lists and vocabularies re...

Sue Newman, former archivist and Aboriginal Liaison at State Records New South Wales (SRNSW), passed away on 22 October 2012, following a long battle with cancer. Sue’s death was a huge loss for SRNSW and for Indigenous people and communities throughout New South Wales (NSW).

Research undertaken with one's own community can be complex and demanding. It can also be valuable and fulfilling. Those who take on this challenge must often straddle variant roles, values, and perspectives with the potential for the strictures and structures of the academic community to be at odds with those of the partner community in research e...

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the work being done to develop a trusted digital archive for social sciences data relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia. It explores the issues that arise through respectful engagement with both indigenous communities and research communities as well as the development of pragmatic and effective data...

This poster demonstrates the program of consultation and associated technical workflow developed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive (ATSIDA) to support the digital return of research data to Indigenous Australian communities, while also facilitating data preservation and reuse in the research community and by the general publ...