Who We Are
The Indigenous Archives Collective (The Collective) is a First Nations-led group of Indigenous practitioners, researchers and allies working across the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sectors. The Collective connects people working with Indigenous knowledges and advocates for First Nations’ rights and self‑determination in archive and information spaces.
Background
The Indigenous Archives Network was established in 2011 by Dr Shannon Faulkhead and Professor Kirsten Thorpe through a National Archives of Australia Ian Maclean Research Award. The Ian Maclean Research Award supports hosting for a period of five years (2011 to 2016). In 2018, a group of researchers and practitioners – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – came together to revitalise the network under the new name of the Indigenous Archives Collective to reframe the site as an open blog to encourage discussion about Indigenous archives. The Logo ‘Connecting Community Culture and Knowledge’ was designed by Koorie artist Maree Clarke for the Collective.
Values
The Collective is based on values of respect, integrity and social justice.
The Collective is a space:
- For nourishment, where members support each other while pushing for change
- For culturally safe collaboration, which supports Indigenous self-determination, social justice and truth-telling
- For dialogue and reflexive practice on Indigenous priorities in the GLAM sector
- For advocacy to promote transformative changes in the GLAM sector in Australia and internationally.
The Collective supports Indigenous-led aspirations and leadership about the sector that we want to see.
Governance
The Collective is governed by a group of First Nations Executive Members. Every two years, up to ten members are nominated to serve on the Executive Team through a self‑nomination process open to Collective members. Two co‑founder positions are permanent and are not subject to nomination.
The Executive serves as the primary decision‑making body of the Collective and seeks input from the broader membership as needed. In keeping with the spirit of the Collective, the Executive operates through a flat structure. Roles are defined to share responsibilities, support collective care, and enable members to exercise autonomy in progressing work across different areas.
Our Executive Members (in alphabetical order)
Members
Statement on Allyship
Within The Collective, allyship is understood as an active, ongoing, and accountable commitment. The Collective understands allyship as a practice grounded in listening, learning, and unlearning, and in building respectful, long-term relationships with First Nations communities. It requires humility, reflexivity, and a willingness to challenge systems, structures, and practices that continue to reproduce inequality.
The Collective affirms the responsibility of non‑Indigenous members to take an active role in working alongside First Nations leadership, supporting self‑determination, and using their positions to advocate for structural change.
Our Past Members
Charlotte Moar (in Memory)
Fiona Blackburn
Damien Webb
New Members
Collective members are invited to attend meetings to build connections with other First Nations peoples and allies working across the GLAM sector in support of Indigenous priorities. Members also have access to and can participate in the Collective advocacy, discussions, and projects.
The Collective is sustained through a trusted, relational model. Its priority is to nurture connections, dialogue, and shared learning around the care and management of Indigenous knowledges within the GLAM sector and beyond.
The Collective meets six times per year, approximately once every two months.
IAC members are expected to:
- Support and uphold the values of the Collective
- Contribute to maintaining a safe and confidential space
- Participate in and attend at least one meeting per year.