Indigenous Matters

• ALIA partnered with AIATSIS, NSLA, CAUL, CAVAL, ALIA ACORD, and a First Nations researcher to begin the First Nations Collections Description Guidelines Project to support those working with First Nations collections create high quality metadata and item records.
• ALIA provided two Indigenous Scholarships to LIS students from Charles Sturt University.
• Professional Pathways Framework includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Professional Knowledge and Core domains, and was created in close collaboration with the ALIA EAG.
• The ALIA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAG were brought to Ngunnawal Country for their annual face-to-face meeting at ALIA House.
• The ALIA House team, in collaboration with the EAG, created a risk register template to mitigate negative impacts for First Nations workforces for libraries in relation to the Referendum on the Voice to Parliament.
• The Online Storytime program collaborated with leading First Nations publisher Magabala Books to create two Indigenous written and illustrated children’s picture books. These were launched at Australian Parliament House.
• ALIA National Office hosted a Charles Sturt University Indigenous scholarship recipient in virtual two-week placement. The student was supported to focus on their area of interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stream was added to Public Library Proficiency training program for Libraries South Australia.
• ALIA acknowledged Reconciliation Week and NIADOC with morning tea and staff professional learning activities. Money was raised for the ILF through a book swap.

• The ALIA National Conference had the theme of ‘diversity’ and included numerous presentations by First Nations LIS professionals and about First Nations topics.
• ALIA provided an Indigenous Scholarships for a LIS student from Charles Sturt University. The recipient wrote an article for INCITE magazine and has gone on to hold a significant Indigenous role in library and archives.
• In collaboration with Jumbunna Institute, the ALIA Education and Policy Team developed and delivered Contexts, Collections and Communities for State Library of Queensland, a training program weaving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives throughout a public library course. 
• The ALIA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAG were brought to an annual face-to-face meeting on Gadigal County at the University of Sydney.
• INCITE in conversation spot lighted the Curtin team and their work with colleagues in the library and other areas of the university to engage Indigenous perspectives through the library’s services and collections
• Ngunnawal artist, Ritchie Allen Jr, was commissioned to create a digital artwork for ALIA’s RAP and publications.
• ALIA acknowledged Reconciliation Week and NIADOC with morning tea and staff professional learning activities. Money was raised for the ILF through a book swap.

• ALIA completed and published a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan for May 2019 – January 2021
• Indigenous artist Wayne ‘Buddy’ Martin was commissioned to create a message stick which could be passed from one President to the next, to symbolise the passing on of knowledge, experience and goodwill from the current Board to the future Board. From the request, Buddy created two clapping sticks – a traditional instrument used during ceremonies. Both sticks are made from Mallee timber, the first was burnt to create dot and thatch patterns, representing craft and culture and features the ALIA star. The second stick is painted with kangaroo, emu, possum and goanna footprints and a circular design, which signifies everything beginning in the land and coming back to country.
• ALIA published the report, 2019: A year in libraries which featured information on the 2019 United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages.
• ALIA investigated the provenance of the Rainbow Serpent bark painting, commissioned for the ALIA Darwin conference in 1986 and secured a copyright arrangement for five years. The painting is a valued asset of the Association and a treasured feature within ALIA House.
• Kirsten Thorpe presented the findings from her research report in a Research Review Seminar

Under President Lyndall Ley, ALIA’s presidential theme for 2018-2019 was ‘Indigenous matters’ and the following five projects were carried out.

1. Finding ways to ensure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are qualified for employment in professional library roles;
2. Initiating a review and revision of the ATSILIRN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information and Resource Network) Protocols allied with work on classification of First Nations’ original material;
3. Supporting libraries and library and information professionals to acknowledge and celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019;
4. Creating ALIA’s first Reconciliation Action Plan;
5. Producing guidance for libraries and library and information professionals seeking to improve library services for Indigenous people through the publication of a case study-based report.

These projects were undertaken by ALIA in partnership with LIS educators, National and State Libraries Australia, AIATSIS, ATSILIRN, the ALIA Australian Public Library Alliance and other stakeholders.

• ALIA sponsored the Right of Reply - Indigenous Rights in Data & Collections Symposium at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in 2019.
• ALIA endorsed the SNAICC Position Paper calling for the establishment of a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
• ALIA released the report Improving library services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with the assistance of National and State Libraries Australia and the Australian Public Library Alliance.
• ALIA responded to the IP Australia inquiry into the Protection of Indigenous Knowledge in the IP system
• The ATSILIRN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information and Resource Network) became an ALIA Group in the second half of 2018 and a meeting was held at ALIA House on 31 January, 2019, to talk about future plans.
• Two ALIA Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships were presented to students from Charles Sturt University in 2020.
• ALIA awarded the 2019 ALIA Research Grant Award to Kirsten Thorpe for her project ‘National Survey on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment in Australian Libraries’.
• ALIA ran a joint promotion with Booktopia, with 5% of the value of sales donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

ALIA Board supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart

In July 2018 ALIA Directors stated their support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which aligns with the Association’s objects and values.