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).

Purpose

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.

Structure

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.

 

Topic 1: What is Native Title?

  • Background to the Native Title Act (NTA) – Mabo Decision
  • The NTA
  • Native Title recognition vrs Land Rights ‘grant’

Topic 2: The Native Title “System”

  • The main institutions and bodies involved in Native Title
  • The Native Title Claim Process
  • The role of NTRBs
  • The role of PBCs

Topic 3: The Role of Anthropology and Anthropologists in Native Title

  • In-House and Consultant Anthropologists
  • Connection Reports
  • Expert Reports
  • Role the Expert Witness
  • Compensation
  • Aboriginal Heritage
  • Roles for Anthropologists outside of Native Title Research and Post-Determination

Topic 4: Australianist Anthropology – Aboriginal Kinship and social organisation

  • Kinship and Social Organisation as Anthropological Concepts
  • Australian Aboriginal Kinship System Features
  • Australian Aboriginal Social Categories

Topic 5: Australianist Anthropology – Classical Aboriginal Local Organisation

  • Key Elements of Classical Aboriginal local organisation and land tenure
  • Clan, Estate, Band and Range

Topic 6: Key Issues in Native Title Anthropology

  • The Concept of Society
  • Succession, Change and Continuity

Topic 7: Native Title Anthropology – Fieldwork

  • Free Prior and Informed Consent
  • Genealogies – methods of collection.
  • Fieldnotes – purpose, uses and best practices.
  • Maps

Topic 8: Native Title Anthropology – WorkPlace Safety

  • Organisational responsibilities – Workplace Health and Safety
  • Issues of workplaces safety in Native Title

Topic 9: Native Title Anthropology – in the Office

  • Genealogy Databases and drawing programs
  • Practical Report production hints