Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship
The Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship Hub advocates for Indigenous rights in archives and data, including promoting a Right of Reply to historical collections held across the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector. The Hub develops research and engagement to refigure libraries and archives to support the culturally appropriate ownership, management and ongoing preservation of Indigenous knowledges.
Who we are
Led by Dr Kirsten Thorpe, the Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship Hub staff have extensive experience engaging in research, professional practice and connecting with industry to support Indigenous self-determination in archives.
What we do
The Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship Hub conducts research and engagement related to Indigenous priorities in the GLAM sector by working in partnership with Indigenous communities to support their archival needs. The Hub aims to build capacity for communities to care for and use archive material on Country and in digital spaces. The Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship team advocate for the following:
- Use of open source and community-controlled IT systems to support the management of Indigenous cultural heritage held in data, information and records.
- Development of archival models that incorporate appropriate Indigenous protocols and the recognition of Indigenous Intellectual and Cultural Property Rights (ICIP).
- Re-telling of stories through the creative use of the archive, and in particular through design and creative practices to enable opportunities to speak back to archives and colonial collections.
- Developing networks of people to share stories and information on self-determined practice in the GLAM sector.
- Calling out racism and privilege concerning how archives and information are managed across the GLAM sector and in traditional library, archive and museum practice.
- Providing advice on policy in relation to Indigenous collections in the GLAM sector, including collection development policies, significance assessments, valuing of collections, incorporation of ICIP and contracts negotiating the protection of Indigenous knowledges in information systems.
- Advocating for archival justice and reparations, including support for archives in national truth-telling processes.
- Support training and awareness raising, including delivering workshops, on Indigenous cultural safety and cultural competency in the GLAM sector.
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Publications