INF 305 Professional Learning and Networking
Australian Society of Archivists E-Learning Course/Toolkit
Date 14/09/2020
Description of Activity
Content
Indigenous record keeping and archives, cultural competency, AUSTILRN Protocols for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Format
This is a self -directed online toolkit; e-learning course
Length
Working at your own pace the duration of this course is between 90-180 minutes
Audience
The course/toolkit is suitable for students, emerging and professional archivists, recordkeepers, librarians and volunteers who work with Indigenous collections.
Organisers
The Australian Society of Archivists. This course was developed for ASA by staff from Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship Hub within the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education & Research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Presenters
Kirsten Thorpe
Delivery
Online learning
Reflections
Objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce participants to the different requirements for archival and record keeping practices when working with Indigenous records. Its overall objective is to provide a greater understanding of Indigenous history in Australia, understand the recommendations from key Australian government reports and international conventions (Tandanya-Adelaide declaration, 2019) and how these recommendation affect Indigenous access to records. It also aims to educate archivists in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resource Network (ATSILRN) Protocols for libraries and archives and how they relate to working with Indigenous collections.
Reason for attending
I attended this online training course because I am an employee of the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) which holds a significant collection pertaining to Aboriginal Protectorate reports, Aboriginal missions, The Native Police Corps, police records and ‘Out of Home Care’ records. I also wanted to learn more about the AUSTILRN Protocols and how they affected my work with the State Archives of Victoria.
Relationship of activity to work
As part of my role as an access service officer I transcribe Aboriginal Protectorate records for the Koori Index of Names (1839-1946) project initiated by recommendations from the Bringing Them Home Report. The Koori Index of Names (KIN) database was designed to facilitate a greater access for members of the Stolen Generations to discover and reconnect with Country & Family. KIN is an ongoing indexing project.
Learning Outcomes
Participating in this course complemented my existing knowledge of the protocols around working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections. It also enhanced my cultural competency skills and heightened my awareness of establishing co-operative relationships with the Aboriginal community to support communities in self-determination. I also realised the importance of employing Indigenous staff in libraries and archives and how it improved engagement with Indigenous communities.
How I used and will use the learning gained?
I was very pleased to have undertaken this course because in 2022 I was asked to conduct a workshop for the ‘Bringing them Home workers’ on behalf of the Koori Records Unit for the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). The workshop had provided me with the knowledge to better interact with the participants observing respect and understanding of self- determination and the inter -generational trauma experienced by Indigenous families. My session covered navigating the often complex PROV catalogue to find relevant records more seamlessly and efficiently and I experienced first -hand the complexities and frustration for Indigenous clients in accessing records. As part of my workshop, I asked the participants to provide me with family names they were researching. Most of the records were ‘closed access’ and the clients couldn’t access the records immediately. This was very frustrating as the records were housed in the repository, a five minute walk away.
I feel I was better prepared to conduct this workshop having previously undertaken the course. I had gained an appreciation of the importance in understanding the trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples when viewing government records and it provided me with strategies to create an environment of trust and respect.
Evidence
Certificate_of_CompletionIndigenous 2020