The Albanese Government has appointed a new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Council.
Mr Karl Hampton, a Warlpiri, Ngulakan and Mara man is the new AIATSIS Chairperson. He is co-founder of the Warlpiri Project, which has repatriated hundreds of cultural heritage items from around Australia and the world to the Warlpiri community.
Mr Hampton was appointed as a member of the AIATSIS Council last year and is also Director of Indigenous Strategy at the Central Desert Regional Council and a member of the Aboriginal Advisory Board for the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Professor Brenda L. Croft, a First Nations woman from the Gurindji/Malngin/Mudburra peoples from the Victoria River region of the Northern Territory, is the new AIATSIS Deputy Chairperson.
Professor Croft was elected as a member of the AIATSIS Council earlier this year and is a Professor of Indigenous Art History and Curatorship at the Australian National University in Canberra.
The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson have been appointed to the roles until the end of their terms as Councillors.
AIATSIS is Australia’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led national cultural institution.
It is a world-renowned leader in research, collections and publishing, dedicated to deepening understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, traditions, languages and stories.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“I congratulate Mr Hampton and Professor Croft on their appointments. They each bring a wealth of experience to the AIATSIS Council and their new roles.
“I am confident as Chair and Deputy Chair they will continue to advance the Institute’s priorities and inspire all Australians to connect with First Nations knowledge, heritage and cultures.
“By deepening understanding and respect, we build a more inclusive future for all Australians.”