Keeping Indigenous culture strong for the future

The Australian Government has taken the first steps towards establishing a national Indigenous Cultural Education and Knowledge Centre, one of the ideas to emerge from the 2020 Summit.

Initially a feasibility study will be undertaken to decide the form and role of an Indigenous Cultural Education and Knowledge Centre.

The study will gather the views of the Indigenous and wider communities to develop options for the most effective way to strengthen and support Indigenous cultures.

It has been suggested that the Centre could:

• Become a national gathering place for the celebration and discussion of Indigenous culture, in a physical or ‘virtual’ sense
• Become a reference point for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
• Engage in research to harness traditional knowledge to support sustainable management of country
• Support education in, and understanding of, Indigenous culture and affairs across Australia and preserve Indigenous heritage

The Government is committed to resetting the relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.

As part of this we are working with Indigenous communities on the decisions which affect them to develop and implement effective policy responses to the Government’s closing the gap targets.

Another important part of resetting the relationship is recognising and building on the strength of Indigenous cultures.

This initiative provides an opportunity to strengthen Indigenous culture and increase understanding and appreciation of those strengths.