Indigenous Policy Projects

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• Anti-racism laureate

  This project, led by Professor Lindon Coombes and team, will look at approaches to ameliorate the effects of racism on First Nations peoples. A project plan has been written to step out the key milestones for the work, including through an international journal on decolonising legal systems, a stocktake of the achievements of the Racial Discrimination Act over the past 50 years and options to promote First Nations models of law and justice.

• NSWDAA

  Professors Rigney, Behrendt and Coombes and the Jumbunna team have been providing key support to
  the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on their commitment to progress treaty in NSW. The team
  drafted a discussion paper for AANSW on what the path to treaty would look like in NSW, the progress
  in other states and territories and key considerations. The team continues to meet regularly with AANSW regarding next steps.

• GO Foundation Scholarship Program Research Project

  The Goodes OʼLoughlin (GO) Foundation and the Jumbunna Institute have continued their strategic research and evaluation partnership, initiated in early 2021, throughout 2023. The GO Foundation provides an Indigenous studentʼs Scholarship Program, which aims to strengthen participantsʼ cultural identity, build their aspirations for further education and provide access to work, study and life opportunities. Building on their previous collaboration with GO to design an impact evaluation framework for the Scholarship Program, the Jumbunna team of Professor Lindon Coombes, Dr Tracy Barber and Josh Gilbert is undertaking new research to identify Program impact upon student participants, as well as its impact upon their families and communities.

• Evaluation of the Yanalangami: Strong women, Strong Communities Program

  The Yanalangami Program, delivered by Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited, aims to connect Indigenous women and strengthen their networks within a culturally safe and supportive community, grow participantsʼ personal and professional leadership skills to enact sustainable, community-led change and amplify Changemakersʼ stories, aspirations and methods for change. At the invitation of Tranby, the Jumbunna team of Professor Lindon Coombes, Dr Tracy Barber, and Alison Whittaker is undertaking evaluation to determine the effectiveness and impact of the Yanalangami Program to achieve its aims.

• ARC Discovery Project – The Policy of Self-Determination: The Case Study of ATSIC

  The project has generated a lot of interest given how timely the issue of representation has been. The research team comprises Professor Lindon Coombes, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Professor Daryle Rigney, Dr Kristen Thorpe and Dr Alison Holland. Mandy Price is project managing. A Steering Committee has been established, led by Aunty Pat Turner AO, has met twice. Dr Paddy Gibson has filled the Post-Doctoral position, and a PhD has been recruited in, Shane Hoffman, who is awaiting confirmation of acceptance. A roundtable was held on 19 October 2023 as a first opportunity to hear from former ATSIC staff and elected representatives about what the project should focus on going forward. It is anticipated that the first publications will come out, the digital archive platform will be established and that the recording of oral histories will begin.

• ARC Laureate Fellowship: A First Nations Approach to Decolonising Colonial Institutions

  Kicking off in mid-2023, the Laureate has established its four fields:

  - Child Protection – led by Dr Paul Gray
  - Anti-Racism – led by Professor Lindon Coombes
  - Legal Education – led by Professor Marcelle Burns and Associate Professor Nicole Watson
  - Coronial Processes – led by Professor Craig Longman

  Project managed by Missi Mel Pesa, key personnel have been recruited, including Post Doctoral Fellows and PhD students. In addition, the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fellowship is being led by Professor Juanita Sherwood and Gemma Sentence. They have held several events which have brought First Nations women and non-binary together for professional development and cultural activities.

• ARC – Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures

  With Gio deSantolo and Jai McAllister, Professor Larissa Behrendt collaborated with the Healing Foundation, to record a series of life stories of members of the stolen generations. Eight stories were filmed and edited in collaboration with the participants.