Forum discussions and outcomes

a) How can information and technology be used to empower Indigenous peoples?

• Develop a common information management framework. Establish base level requirements including custodianship and associated business rules for information access.
• Recommend to ATSIS that a suitably qualified facilitator be appointed to work with Native Title Representative Bodies to identify their information management requirements and assist in establishment of the base level requirements.

b) What opportunities exist for two-way information sharing?

• Greater awareness and engagement with existing information resources such as the Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD) and alignment with the Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure (ASDI) initiative.
  
• Provision of geospatial capacity to stakeholders, to have the ability to view the same information.
  
• Broad spectrum of geospatial information products ranging from ‘raw’ e.g. geospatial data to valued added products such as reports, maps and analysis.
  
• Rationalisation and standardisation on data licensing agreements between information suppliers and consumers.
  
• Development of geospatial data models which not only include but also protect confidentiality and integrity of indigenous cultural information.
  
• Commitment to ongoing maintenance by data custodians and feedback from data users.
  
• Plan views of native title matters do not have the same effectiveness as three dimensional representations of the same.
  

c) Partnerships and ongoing communication between stakeholders and parties are essential. What areas in particular?

• Create a ‘level playing field’ in terms of access to geospatial information.
  
• Inequity in existing partnerships may jeopardise long-term relationships and objectives.
  

d) How can models and national standards for legal and spatial integrity be brought about?

• National standards need be developed to provide direction in the short and long term.
  
• Represent stakeholders in the development of data access agreements.
  
• Agreed definitions of fundamental native title datasets.
  

e) How can access to and integration of geospatial native title information be improved?

• Promote networking to understand issues from parties’ viewpoints and to raise awareness of datasets and systems in use.
  
• Build a national data model for geospatial native title information, from which standards can be derived.
  
• Set up a user group with a sponsor, preferably an independent body.
  
• Promote systems which maximise access with minimal cost such as web based systems and the use of CDs, keeping in mind the needs of regional users.
  
• Consider a portal to provide a gateway and guide to datasets.
  

f) In what ways can 'Cost of Data' be addressed to remove barriers to access and consultation?

• Demonstrate savings and benefits which arise during negotiations and agreement making, when data is freely provided.
  
• Promote data sharing and reuse amongst all levels of government.
  

g) What frameworks exist in relation to intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples?

• Existing laws do not acknowledge intellectual property rights relating to cultural information.
  
• Indigenous peoples may be reluctant to provide information for fear of it being misused or abused.
  
• There is an identified need for information exchange agreements to address confidentiality, laws, restricted evidence and trust.
  

h) What scope is there for linking connection reports with a wider range of information?

• Reposition connection reports to be potentially useful to a wider audience.
  
• All relevant information needs to be available during preparation of the connection reports.
  
• Lobby state and commonwealth departmental policy makers to change pricing and access policies in relation to fundamental geospatial information.
  
• Confidentiality & security must be considered when distributing connection reports.
  

Open Forum — Summary of Issues

• a. How can information and technology be used to empower indigenous peoples?
• b. What opportunities exist for two-way information sharing?
• c. Partnerships and ongoing communication between stakeholders and parties are essential What areas in particular?
• d. How can models and national standards for legal and spatial integrity be brought about?
• e. How can access to and integration of geospatial native title information be improved?
• f. In what ways can 'Cost of Data' be addressed to remove barriers to access and consultation?
• g. What frameworks exist in relation to intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples?
• h. What scope is there for integrating connection reports with a wider range of information?

Delegates divided into five groups, with each group reviewing and discussing separate issues. Observations and recommendations were then presented by each group on the topics they discussed. The workshop concluded with the convenor, Peter Bowen thanking delegates for their attendance and undertaking a commitment to provide workshop papers, presentations and issues to participants in the near future.

Tony McEvoy summarises discussion points