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Articles written by Anthropology Interns
As part of their obligations Interns are required to submit a report at the completion of their Internships. Here are a few examples from previous interns:
| Summer 2009/10 |
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Click here to read an article by Natalia Gould who was placed at The National Centre for Indigenous Studies (NCIS) at the Australian National University in Canberra, ACT. |
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Click here to read an article by Luella Monson-Wilbraham who was placed at the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) in Melbourne, VIC. |
| Winter 2009 |
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Click here to read an article written by anthropology interns, Margherita Drago and Honey Muir and social science intern, Louise Whitton, who were placed at NTSCORP in Sydney, NSW. |
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Click here to read an article written by Elizabeth McFarlane who was placed at North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) in Darwin. |
| Summer 2008/09 |
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Click here to read an article written by Bethany King who was placed at Native Title Services Victoria (NTSV) in Melbourne, VIC. |
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Click here to read an article written by Amy Humphreys who was placed at Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) in Brisbane, QLD |
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Click here to read an article written by Gemma Irving who was placed at Goldfields Land & Sea Council (GLSC) in Kalgoorlie, WA. |
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| Summer 2007/08 |
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Click here to read an article written by Carla Unger who was placed at the Goldfields Land and Sea Council (GLSC) in Kalgoorlie, WA. |
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Click here to read an article written by Amiee Kepa who was placed at the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC) in Mackay, Qld. |
| Winter 2007 |
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Click here to read a final report by Aislinn Martin |
Quotes from Anthropology Interns
| Summer 2009/10 |
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“In my six weeks at NTSCORP I certainly gained a sense of how social science is practiced differently in native title as opposed to the type of social science research/practice we are exposed to during undergrad. I think six weeks was enough to gain an insight into a slice of the native title system as I became familiar with the complexities and nuances of one particular claim. I would certainly consider a career in native title feeling much more informed than I was before the internship.” |
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“In all, the work has been fulfilling and exhausting but it has really inspired me to pursue possible career opportunities in this field. Apart from the work experience aspect I have found that hearing the stories of the Noongar community has been one of the most illuminating, difficult and rewarding parts of my internship and I really appreciate the privilege.” |
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“So basically a lot of questions about my future career path have arisen out of this internship at NCIS that I hope to be able to answer in the near future! It has most definitely given me a lot more passion (and knowledge) about Indigenous issues and injustices, and I hope to pass that feeling to other people so that they may become interested in being involved.” |
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“I think what I gained most, was an overall understanding of the processes and issues involved in Native Title, from the beginning stages of research, Future Acts and ongoing conservation/heritage programs. Central Desert has projects running at pretty much every stage of the process, so hearing about the entirety of the legal and anthropological process was beneficial.” |
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“... [the internship program] gives anthropological/archeological students a rare opportunity to gain practical fieldwork experience. As most jobs in these fields require you to demonstrate experience in cross-cultutral communication, the opportunities this internship has provided me with have been invaluable.” |
| Winter 2009 |
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“So far I have felt really privileged to be doing the work that I have done so far at SANTS, it has been fantastic working with those old photographs and records and learning so much about the sheer scale of how native title claims are made. This is a fascinating environment to be working in. Everyone is very open and friendly and willing to share their knowledge and experiences.” |
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“Overall, my time in Cairns at CYLC has been fantastic. I have learnt a lot about the native title system, the role of anthropologists (and lawyers) in all the different facets of the process. There is no doubt much more to learn, but I have loved the whole experience.” |
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“The internship at CYI challenged me, as well as exposed me to a number of different ideas. Practically, I learnt so many things: how to work together with people in a workplace; how to talk to TOs; how to do different types of research; and most critically, the importance of working for and with Indigenous people in Australia. |
| Summer 2008/09 |
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"I have really enjoyed my time at Yamatji. I came into the internship with the expectation of being a filing clerk however was pleasantly surprised by the work I was given. I was lucky to have arrived just when a connection report was in its final stages and the work I did helping Jodi complete the appendices for this was both challenging and rewarding. In completing this work and the research tasks given to me I felt as though I have been able to use my skills in a useful manner whilst also gaining many new skills and learning the workings of an NTRB in the process.” |
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"My time at the CYLC [Cape York Land Council] was amazing. I was blown away by how hard people were working to get claims moving when they were already stretched beyond their limits. For the first week I didn't feel comfortable and was wondering what I could contribute, but towards the end I felt a valued member of the team. I learnt a lot more than I expected and I was inspired to continue with my studies and to pursue a career in the area." |
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"The best aspect of my internship experience at NTSV [Native Title Services Victoria] was having access to an NTRB in a part of Australia where the industry is limited for anthropology/social science and history students/graduates/researchers. This has been a wonderful experience for me and has confirmed my desire to continue my search for employment in the native title arena." |
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“It was heartening to think that if not now then in the future there may be a chance to work in this stimulating and worthwhile area, actually implementing the discipline-specific skills learned in our university course (you don’t hear that often from Arts graduates!). I sadly handed in my security beeper and closed the door for the last time, but walked away from this internship with a nugget of NTSV-inspired motivation in my pocket.” |
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“The internship has been a valuable opportunity. I learnt a lot and was able to follow a lot of what was going on and gain valuable insight into the purposes and working of a Native Title Representative Body from my time in the office. There is always something to do and something to contribute. Certainly the experience has reaffirmed my decision to study both Anthropology and Law, as there were numerous examples in the office of the need for an understanding of both. The internship also opened doors for me – at least three senior employees as KLC expressed the desire to have me return in future and take up a paid position there.” |
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"It was a truly fantastic experience and I feel very lucky to have been able to take part in the program. I definitely think this kind of program is something more anthropology and social science students should be doing while they study because there is little knowledge of what options are available after they have finished their studies. I think a lot of people are apprehensive about working for Native Title Representative Bodies because they are unaware and unprepared for the kind of work it involves and the attitude required. I am very grateful for taking part in the internship and I think Aurora is doing a great job in getting students to know more about the Native Title system and what working in it is like." |
| Winter 2008 |
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"Overall I had a fantastic time at the GLSC. Several people at the land council mentioned that they valued the efforts of Aurora both in terms of the internship program and the organisations other activities. I am very grateful to have been involved with the Aurora project and strongly encourage the organisation to continue to support the internship program.." |
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"Thanks very much, both to Aurora and SWALSC, for giving me the opportunity to see what working as an anthropologist in Native Title is like. It has been a very valuable experience that will most definitely be at the back of my mind when I come to making career decisions in the future. I have really appreciated it!" |
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"This internship has provided me with some insight into what is available for Anthropologists in the workforce, and really helped refine my ideas and thoughts, while challenging me to express my values and ethics in relation to Anthropology. It also gave me the opportunity to connect theory learnt at university with the realities of work in the field – without this time here, I would never have know how in demand qualified anthropologists are throughout Australia. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to experience life as an anthropologist working in the Goldfields. It has changed my world!" |
| Winter 2006 |
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"My time at the CYLC was amazing. I was blown away by how hard people were working to get claims moving when they were already stretched beyond their limits. For the first week I didn't feel comfortable and was wondering what I could contribute, but towards the end I felt a valued member of the team. I learnt a lot more than I expected and I was inspired to continue with my studies and to pursue a career in the area." |
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"The Aurora Project is a fantastic means by which young social scientists, anthropologists in particular, may become engaged in native title and other Indigenous land development processes. I had been encouraged to maintain few expectations as I entered the NTRB internship program. Being the first anthropology intern of the program, there were few expectations about what my time would entail. I saw myself as a volunteer and undertook to perform any task required of me. Having spoken with a native title consultant anthropologist, and from my own general knowledge, I understood that NTRBs are frequently under-resourced and may have workloads that exceed the organisations’ capacities, with respect to staffing. With this in mind, I approached the program with the willingness to assume as little or as much responsibility as required and desired of me.
My five weeks were full of highlights: various meetings, including on-country and in the office; interacting with tireless and inspiring traditional owners and elders; learning from the anthropological, legal and administrative staff, many of whom had vast experiences in their fields and of the local area; becoming familiar with the native title process; and studying the suites of evidence accumulated by anthropologists over decades’ study. I had the opportunity to meet with all of the consultant anthropologists who work with the NTRB where I was placed. It was very interesting to hear some of their stories, and particularly inspiring to witness the nature of the relationships they have developed with local elders: the trust and mutual respect is very evident.
The most rewarding aspect of my internship experience was coming to know some of the traditional owners and elders. I was thoroughly inspired by their strength, pride and desire to work very hard in order to create positive changes, some of which they will never see, for their young people. Equally inspiring was coming to know younger Indigenous people, who are seeking to become engaged in the native title process, with evidenced desires to learn from their elders about their histories and to install practices such that histories will not be forgotten. For me, it was distressing to think about the incredible history of Indigenous Australia, and the fact that so many beholders of exceptional knowledge and experience will soon not be able to share their rich understandings.
Staff were open and always willing to explain procedures and particular claims. I particularly enjoyed grappling with the development implications of land gains, and becoming familiar with the manner in which Indigenous people are leveraging economic gains and other opportunities through native title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements.
My trip was made even fuller by the experiences I had traveling and by the lifelong friends that I made in my fellow interns.
The most challenging aspect of the experience was coming home! I had such a wonderful time that I really did not want to leave."
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