Rob Blowes SC has kindly made available to a wider audience the materials he compiled for a workshop of lawyers and anthropologists at First Nations Legal and Research Services Melbourne on June 10th 2025.
Disclaimer Please note: this is NOT legal advice. It does not purport to be a comprehensive set of materials on the matter.
The material was prepared for a particular purpose rather than general publication.
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CNTA held a workshop hosted by First Nations Legal and Research Services (FNLRS) in Melbourne on 15-16th May 2025.
The purpose of the workshop was principally to understand the different roles of lawyers and anthropologists when working for native title outcomes in complex operating environments. These involved speakers outlining and -in the case of genealogies demonstrating – key methodologies in legal and anthropological practice.
Video recordings of the 10 presentations are now available on the CNTA website. Tom Keely’s paper has been circulated via the CNTA Email List.
Read Full Content of the Workshop
Attached is a case study of workforce issues for anthropologists prepared for the recently held Commonwealth Inter-agency Committee on Native Title in Adelaide.
The paper builds on a survey of our sector run by CNTA in 2023, followed by a small working party of research managers from different organisations held in July 2024. Their involvement made it possible to bring an experiential dimension to the issues, and to ground-proof key issues emerging from the survey data.
CNTA has taken the view that – for various reasons outlined – we need to use our own capacities and agency to review, reform, and sponsor recruitment and retention for the native title anthropological workforce. In terms of remedial actions inside native title organisations, there is a good deal of agency they have to make a positive difference in recruitment and staff retention.
Recently, CNTA commissioned consultant anthropologist Sarah Bell, to write a foundational course on native title for use by NTRBs, NTSPs and Land Councils. The foundational course is specifically for inducting new staff. With the scarcity of available formal training courses in native title anthropology in Australian universities, and the increasing demand for anthropologists throughout the native title system, CNTA first took the initiative to support our sector through provision of podcasts and interviews on the CNTA website (see the Tab Fundamental) for key aspects of native title work.
This initiative has now developed further, by providing access to a systematic framework for understanding and learning about the demands of native title research work – from claim research through to compensation and post-determination.
In providing this material, CNTA hopes to encourage NTRB, NTSPs and Land Councils, to use the framework, tailoring it as needed, for introducing native title work and processes to new and early career staff anthropologists; those who may not have had any such introduction at university. The course, as developed by Bell covers aspect of both the Native Title Act (1993) and the Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1976).
The purpose of this course is to provide Anthropologists commencing work in Native Title a basic introduction to Native Title and key references and resources.
The Course is presented in 9 Topic areas related to aspects of Native Title practice. A set of summary PowerPoint slides for each topic is provided along with key introductory reference materials are listed, many of which are publicly available via the internet, including materials on the CNTA Website. A listing of additional references for further self-study are also provided.
In 2025 CNTA was able to offer internships and exchange opportunities to anthropologists to spend time in another organisation. The opportunity attracted a strong field of applicants. The following people initially won places.
We were able to facilitate two more places to the following people:
Successful applicant, Ms Emma Dennis reflected on her experience in the Northern Land Council. Emma wrote…
The most important thing I learned from my placement experience was just how much there is still to learn in my field—and that the challenges and learning opportunities are vast, if I choose to pursue them. This experience broadened my perspective beyond the spaces I have previously worked and studied in.
What I valued most about the placement was the opportunity to work with and seek guidance from experienced anthropologists—both generally and specifically within the field of Native Title, where I am still building my knowledge. It was incredibly valuable to gain their insights into what works well in Native Title at the Northern Land Council, the challenges involved, and to contribute to real-time tasks within the Native Title unit that support the rights of Native Title holders. I particularly appreciated the chance to deepen my understanding of working with genealogies and the structure of Native Title in the Northern Territory.
This experience has certainly made me more aware of the career opportunities available in Native Title, and I will remain open to future roles that align with my skills and values. One area I anticipate would be challenging is navigating employment negotiations—understanding my rights and value based on my education and experience—as well as managing the practical realities of relocating to regions with limited housing availability or negotiating the possibility of working remotely in place of relocation. Guidance and support on these barriers would certainly be of assistance when considering opportunities beyond where I currently live.
Once again, thank you sincerely for the opportunity to take part in this placement. It has been an enriching and motivating experience that has developed my confidence, expanded my skills and knowledge, and will undoubtedly support my ongoing career growth.
James Annand is an anthropologist and research manager at the Victorian Native Title Service Provider, First Nations Legal and Research Services. James found both a contrast, and similarity in native title work in Victoria and that in the Kimberley.
In May 2025, I undertook a short-term placement at the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) in Broome, organised and funded by CNTA. During this time, I worked alongside the research, legal, and policy teams, on a project focused on the cultural values of the Martuwarra–Fitzroy River. The placement involved travelling to meetings with Traditional Owners and government stakeholders, providing valuable insight into the local context.
This experience offered a meaningful opportunity to broaden my understanding of native title work beyond Victoria. While the Kimberley presents a different social and environmental landscape, I noticed common threads between both regions—particularly the mix of frustration and opportunity that often accompanies native title processes. Issues such as government engagement with Traditional ecological knowledge, and the complexities of interacting with mainstream institutions, were familiar.
I found it especially valuable to observe how post-determination opportunities are being explored at the KLC, and how these efforts resonate with similar conversations and challenges in Victoria. The placement deepened my appreciation for the diversity of approaches across regions, while also highlighting the shared underlying themes.
Emma Dennis (to be hosted by NLC)
I have a deep interest in understanding people and the environment. It was a natural progression to pursue a degree in Anthropology, Sociology, and Geography with a focus on both the ‘static’ past and the ‘dynamic’ present of societies, and the intersection between people and the environment across diverse settings.
Working within a graduate program at the Cultural Burning Program at Karla Katitjin, DFES Bushfire Centre of Excellence, helped to fuel my already deep-seated interest the experience of First Nations people, particularly the recognition of land and water rights.
I spent time developing an understanding of the barriers First Nations peoples face, and how these impact on cultural identity, the sharing of cultural knowledge, and the benefits of joint management.
This contributed to the development of a research project exploring land management, community vulnerabilities, and the threats to ecosystems. Following this, I moved into working in the Cultural Heritage space, where I continue to focus on developing and supporting pathways that put First Nations ways of knowing and doing.
I am excited to secure the CNTA internship with the Northern Land Council and feel that the opportunity to work with their experienced team of anthropologists with will offer me a valuable learning opportunity. I am particularly interested in developing a greater understanding of joint land management in the context of the Northern Territory, where the NLC supports 14 Indigenous Ranger groups across seven parks and reserves, facilitating the continued stewardship of these areas.
I aim to deepen my understanding of the role Anthropologists can play in supporting Traditional Owner leadership on country, fostering local capacity building, and creating sustainable economic opportunities that empower Aboriginal landowners to care for their land, water, seas, and biodiversity in a land management context. I am particularly interested in how the philosophy supports positive engagement with, and outcomes for, women and youth.
Timaima Dawidi (to be hosted by QSNTS)
I graduated with First Class Honours in Anthropology from James Cook University. My honours thesis explored the impact of systematic collecting practices on cultural heritage preservation and community identity in Papua New Guinea. Her research studies have focused on museum curation, provenance studies, and ethical collecting practices, particularly the Telefomin collection housed at JCU.
My research interests intersect with Native Title through a commitment to ethical museum practices and Indigenous self-determination. I am particularly drawn to the role of material culture in land claims, cultural continuity, and policy development, advocating for community-led approaches to the management and interpretation of Indigenous cultural materials.
I hope to gain further experience in exhibition curation and cultural heritage research, particularly in working with curators, academics, and Indigenous communities to ensure ethical and meaningful representation of cultural artefacts.
I hope to contribute to Native Title by integrating anthropological research with museum practices, ensuring that Indigenous voices are central in discussions about cultural heritage and ownership.
Paul Dottin (to be hosted by YMAC)
I am a sociocultural anthropologist with interdisciplinary training in archaeology, sociology, ethnic studies, philosophy and psychology. As an academic, I have conducted fieldwork in the United States on social movements, and in China on Africans living in the PRC.
As a Cultural Heritage Managment consultant in Australia, I conduct ethnographic and social surroundings impact surveys on behalf of Aboriginal Traditional Owners. As a CNTA Intern, I have been granted an excellent opportunity to gain expertise in cultural mapping, expert witnessing, and Country/culture-loss impacts assessment.
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