AustLit

'‘The people of Borroloola are expressing what a lot of First Nations people are feeling across Australia, that this is a waste of their time…they have their own voice and they are prepared to use it’ (Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy in Allam 2018). Each edition we thank the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to commit to the promise of research. They permit, champion, enable and participate in research to teach people more about who we are, how we live and our hope for a self-determined future. You would not blame them being discouraged at the latest attempt to impose English language and even ways of thinking onto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (Allam 2018). Ethical, quality research conducted with our people is crucial in such situations: research provides evidence of the damage caused by the paternal approach in Indigenous affairs, including the use of schools to ram home assimilation. Research also shows us how acts of cultural resurgence lead to strong, healthy communities. Research is still a good medium for us to speak for ourselves. ' (Editorial introduction)

'We again thank the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to commit to the promise of research. What is the promise of research? Even though research is not always good to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the promise of research, that people will listen and be moved to act when action is required remains strong. Research done the right way is still one of the best ways for Aboriginal people to tell the wider community who we are and who we want to be.' (Editorial introduction)

'In May this year one group of leaders at the First Nations National Constitutional Convention made yet another heartfelt plea from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be heard. Their statement is an attempt to influence public opinion about the nature of the problem by telling a broad audience that Aboriginal disadvantage does not have to be intractable. The Uluru statement may prove to be an influential voice in the public discourse about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. We don’t know whether people will hear this time. We don't know whether the statement from Uluru has identified the right way to go.' (Editorial introduction)

'This edition includes papers on topics ranging from the reported sleep patterns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to a discussion of the meanings attached to drawings made by an Aboriginal historian from western Arnhem Land. As always, a common tie between the diverse set of topics is our commitment to promote the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. This includes the right to self-determination and to be full and fair participants in research that impacts Indigenous people.'  (Editorial introduction)

'We begin by acknowledging the work of retiring AIATSIS Chief Executive Officer Russell Taylor AM. During Russell’s time in charge, the AIATSIS collection was assessed as being of great value globally as a unique and important resource. Looking forward, Russell achieved a doubling of base funding, which will assist in the next stage of vital work at the Institute. At a personal level, Russell set an example as a generous and nurturing supporter of community-based and engaged research.

This edition of the journal continues the important work of publishing the latest ethical, engaged research that shares the beauty and value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life and knowledge while dealing with social and cultural issues. There are four Aboriginal authors and one Māori author across the eight articles. They share authorship in the articles and are full participants in the articles that are about them, as well as the broader categories of ‘Aboriginal’ and ‘indigenous’.' (Bamblett, Lawrence and Strelein, Lisa. Australian Aboriginal Studies, No. 2, 2016: 1-2 )

'There is still work to do be done to achieve transformative change in the discourse about Indigenous identity. To change we need a better balance in the stories we tell young people. For a while now, words of deficit have been affixed to Indigenous identity. These words have a negative effect on the way that Indigenous children feel about their abilities. Do you imagine that repeatedly telling them that they are disadvantaged, impoverished and the rest of it does not negatively affect how they feel about themselves? Malcolm Gladwell warns in, David and Goliath: underdogs, misfits, and the art of battling giants (2013), that in classrooms, self-concept shapes a student’s willingness to take on challenging tasks. He writes that the way young people feel about themselves in the context of the classroom is crucial to shaping motivation and performance. (Introduction)

'In a 1991 editorial for Australian Aboriginal Studies to inaugurate his term as Principal of AIATSIS, Bill Jonas wrote that the Institute had a tradition of scholars pursuing multidisciplinary research that was based on excellence and sensitivity towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He stressed that no one wants excellence more than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and added that research had to be done properly for such a tradition to continue.'  (Editorial introduction)

'Welcome to the first edition of Australian Aboriginal Studies for 2015. A new year has brought with it some changes to the journal, with the departure of Jakelin Troy, who has been the Editor for the past three years, and her Assistant Editor, Sally McNicol. To begin, we acknowledge the excellent work of both women. Jaky, who had a long association with AIATSIS in many guises, including most recently as a Director of Research, was the first Aboriginal woman to be general editor of Australian Aboriginal Studies. Readers who are aware of the work and dedication required to publish a journal of this quality will understand the debt we owe Jaky and Sally. We thank them for their work on this and earlier editions.'   (Editorial introduction)

'The range of papers and research reports in this non-thematic edition of Australian Aboriginal Studies reflects the growing depth in the field of research shaping up as Australian Indigenous Studies in the twenty-first century. The papers and reports cover a range of disciplines now collectively regarded as core to Indigenous Studies, including social, scientific, historical and health research areas. Threaded through this volume is a clear mandate from communities that they now drive research agendas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities engender and influence research projects and work in collaboration with academics to undertake the research. It is gratifying to see this evolve: best practice in ethical research, in which community agency in research is foregrounded, is a key aim of research at AIATSIS.'   (Editorial introduction)

'This year, 2014, marks AIATSIS’ fiftieth anniversary. The Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies was established in June 1964, and its functions included the sponsoring and fostering of research, as well as the publication of results. The Institute was renamed the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in March 1990.'  (Introduction)

'This edition of Australian Aboriginal Studies presents a collection of research papers authored and co-authored by early career Indigenous academics under an initiative of The University of Sydney, the Indigenous Research Higher Degree Student Initiative. Drs Toni Schofield and John Gilroy and PhD candidate Rebecca O’Brien are the guest editors for this edition. The showcasing of this project is in keeping with our research priority to develop and support Indigenous research expertise.'   (Editorial introduction)

'Australian Aboriginal Studies receives submissions that reflect the broad range of disciplines that can be considered to encompass ‘Indigenous studies’. The first edition for 2013 is a case in point, with authors discussing matters of identity, language and racism, cultural heritage, historical changes, the impacts of gambling, community engagement processes, and the importance of art and culture.'   (Editorial introduction)

'Welcome to the second volume of Australian Aboriginal Studies for 2012. This non-thematic edition includes several papers profiling gambling behaviour and how to measure problem gambling among Indigenous people. This is an area where there has been limited published research and we are pleased to be able to provide a forum for this area of study.'   (Editorial introduction)

'Welcome to the first volume of Australian Aboriginal Studies for 2012. The new editorial team is Dr Jakelin Troy, Editor, and Sally McNicol, Assistant Editor, with Dr Lawrence Bamblett continuing as Book Review Editor. We are very pleased to bring you a broad range of papers in this non-thematic edition, including discussions on aspects of education, language, history, anthropology, employment and poverty. This diverse range reflects the breadth of research that is relevant to Indigenous Australians today. Our next edition is planned as a themed special volume focusing on Indigenous scholarship in the Australian tertiary sector.'   (Editorial introduction)

'This non-thematic edition of Australian Aboriginal Studies contains papers covering a range of topics, including analysis of discourse and representation in sport writing; the relationship between journalism and policy making; water values and resource development in the Pilbara; the development of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement at Bidyadanga in the Kimberley; examination of a nineteenth century map of Gunditjmara eel traps; and the history of the New South Wales Aboriginal Lands Trust. This edition’s research report describes the experience and impact of Indigenous involvement in the Master of Applied Epidemiology program at The Australian National University.'  (Editorial introduction)

'Australian Aboriginal Studies receives submissions from a range of disciplines. In this nonthematic edition, the set of papers exemplifies the breadth of topics, issues and approaches that are encompassed by Indigenous studies.'  (Editorial introduction)