| "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 travelling 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."
|
