Activating and supporting the Tandanya Adelaide Declaration on Indigenous Archives

Abstract

This article discusses opportunities for activating and supporting the International Council on Archives Tandanya–Adelaide Declaration on Indigenous Archives. It discusses the background and context of the Declaration and reflects on pathways for it to be enacted. This article draws from a panel discussion ‘Supporting and Activating the Adelaide Tandanya Declaration on Indigenous Archives’ hosted by the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) in September 2020. It explores questions of mobilising action to support the Declaration in an Indigenous Australian context. It examines key themes and issues relating to the importance of ongoing dialogue and Indigenous leadership in actioning and expanding the five key themes of the statement of 1) Knowledge authorities 2) Property and ownership 3) Recognition and identity 4) Research and access, and 5) Self-determination. It concludes with a discussion and recommendations for further action to support the activation of the Tandanya–Adelaide Declaration.