Indigenous Cultural Heritage Management in the Australian Resources Sector

Introduction to the course, its aims and key concepts, including the importance of early and continuous engagement. It also aims to provide some context to the ‘deep time’ histories of the Australian continent, the complexity and diversity of Indigenous languages and customary land tenure.

Definitions of tangible and intangible elements of cultural heritage (CH), and the relationships between them, are also introduced. The knowledge base for understanding the roles of the disciplines of archaeology and anthropology in the management of CH will be developed through short lectures. 

The importance of engaging with gender across cultural heritage management (CHM) will be taught and highlighted here and across the course.

An Indigenous perspective on CHM by archaeologist Dave Johnston is also presented.

This module will develop participants’ understanding of CHM and the deep interconnection between land, sites and people.

The rationale for effective and respectful CHM in the resource sector will be examined, considering for example the national and international industry standards and guidelines, the business case for CHM and its place as a core activity in social performance. You will also learn more about CHM’s foundational disciplines – anthropology and archaeology – and their methods.

You will learn about CHM implementation with an innovative example from Lihir (Papua New Guinea).

You will then critically engage with the criteria and requirements for preparing a Cultural Heritage Management Plan, by reviewing the 2 CHM plans provided.

A practical introduction to planning and implementing CHM Plans will be provided using the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check and Act Cycle) as an integral element in life-of-mine planning. The course includes teaching on the implementation of CHM from experienced practitioners in the resource sector.

This module begins by examining legislative frameworks for Indigenous cultural heritage management across Australian states and territories.

This discussion frames a consideration of the adequacy of compliance-based approaches to CHM. CHM is important in negotiating local agreements, including Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs).

We will discuss a range of approaches incorporating varying CH protection levels. We provide a case study, over two lectures, of a sacred site in the NT that was desecrated, despite the existence of an agreement, and the area’s legal designation as a sacred site. You will be tasked to critically engage with this case.

The importance of effective Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholder engagement will be emphasised as well as appropriate and effective approaches for preparing stakeholder engagement plans.

You'll hear from experienced Indigenous social performance practitioner, Vanessa Elliot, on collaboration and codesign in CH management approaches and what cultural heritage means to her.

The issue of cultural awareness training for staff is also briefly considered. The course will also outline the use of risk management tables in CHM plans and the practicalities of preparing a scope of work for a CHM plan.