Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has announced that Dr Payi-Linda Ford, a female Elder from the Northern Territory with a deep commitment to social justice and cultural diversity, will join Australia’s leading centre for information and research on Australian Indigenous peoples.
“Dr Ford’s community, academic and life experience brings a considerable wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the Council and its leadership role of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS),” Senator Carr said, announcing Dr Ford's appointment to the AIATSIS Council.
Dr Ford is an Elder of the Rak Mak Mak Marranunggu peoples from Kurrindju (Finniss River), in the Northern Territory of Australia. She is acknowledged for her contribution to promoting cross-cultural diversity and awareness of, and respect for, Indigenous knowledge systems and the benefit they hold for all Australians.
“Through her contribution to language and cultural diversity in educational settings, in social justice and cultural diversity, and in community development and adult education, Dr Ford has gained enormous respect for her commitment to advancing Indigenous issues and to promoting social justice,” said AIATSIS Council Chairperson, Professor Mick Dodson.
Dr Ford is on temporary secondment as a Senior Indigenous Policy Officer in the Northern Territory Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources and will be returning to her position as Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Business and Arts, School of Australian Indigenous Knowledge Systems at Charles Darwin University in Darwin.
AIATSIS is Australia’s leading centre for quality, community-based research about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and lifestyles – past and present. It plays a unique role as the keeping place of the world’s largest collection of materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including films, images, recordings and printed materials. Through its work, AIATSIS raises awareness among all Australians of the richness and diversity of Australian Indigenous cultures and histories.
Media contact: Catriona Jackson, Minister's Office, 0417 142 238