Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a Commonwealth statutory authority established under the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989 (Cth) (the Act) and a corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth). The mission of AIATSIS is: - to tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia; - create opportunities for people to encounter, engage with and be transformed by that story; - support and facilitate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural resurgence; and - shape our national narrative. The Functions of AIATSIS (as defined by the Act) are: 1. To develop, preserve and provide access to a national collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage; 2. To use that national collection to strengthen and promote knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage; 3. To provide leadership in the fields of: a. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research; and b. Ethics and protocols for research, and other activities relating to collections, related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and c. Use (including use for research) of that national collection and other collections containing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. 4. To lead and promote collaborations and partnerships among the academic, research, non-government, business and government sectors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in support of the other functions of the Institute; 5. To provide advice to the Commonwealth on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.