Monthly native title updates
AIATSIS Summit to be held in Garramilla/Darwin
The AIATSIS Summit provides a unique forum for Elders, leaders, native title stakeholders and legal experts to come together and collaborate on the issues that matter most to First Nations peoples.
As one of the largest conferences of its kind, the Summit also offers opportunities to support and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge and governance and provides a forum to network and establish new relationships.
The Summit will incorporate research specific topics (2-4 June), Country and governance topics (4-6 June), along with a dedicated youth and emerging leadership sessions across the five-days.
This year’s theme, ‘Voices of Empowerment: Strengthening our Future’, pays tribute to a world in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, knowledge, and voices are recognised, respected, and valued by all Australians today and tomorrow.
Date: 2 June to 6 June 2025
Where: Darwin Convention Centre
Can native title drive self-determination for Indigenous communities?
With the failure of the Indigenous Voice Referendum, native title corporations have emerged as one of the more tangible and legally embedded pathways for Indigenous self-determination, according to a leading academic.
Dr Michael Lucas’ research bridges Indigenous economic development practices between Native American and Indigenous Australian communities.
As part of his PhD, “Governing the Gap: Data-driven Insights for Reforming Native Title Corporations and Indigenous Development”, from the University of Arizona, he applied Indigenous nation-building concepts to Australia’s native title system.
He examined both quantitative and qualitative methods to identify key factors driving Indigenous self-determination through effective governance and institutional frameworks.
“It is wrong to view native title corporations as some second-best consolation prize, these corporations (Prescribed Bodies Corporate) represent a practical, ground-level mechanism for Indigenous communities to exercise rights, make decisions, and drive community development where formal political representation has been denied,” he said.
Check out the latest Aboriginal Way
The Australian Law Reform Commission (‘ALRC’) has been asked to review the future acts regime in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) by the Commonwealth Government. They are looking at problems in the future acts regime and developing ideas for reform.
The Inquiry is about when people do things on Country that affect native title. ALRC will look at when people need permission to do things on Country; the types of things that can be done, and how to ask for permission. In native title law, this is called the ‘future acts regime’.
The Issues Paper includes:
- a summary of native title law and the future acts regime;
- some important issues they have found;
- some things people have told them so far; and
- five questions people might like to answer when they write a submission.
Anyone is welcome to make a submission in response to the Issues Paper. You can make a submission until 21 February 2025 via their website, email or post.
SANTS lawyer recognised in Doyle’s Guide
The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance is a coalition of member organisations representing First Congratulations to SANTS Senior Legal Officer, Greg Bell, for being recognised as a leading native title lawyer in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide.
This recognition highlights their exceptional legal expertise and the appreciation held by their peers for their achievements within the industry.
Protected by Patchstack