A First Nations expert working group has been established to ensure that First Nations knowledge, expertise and lived experience underpin the development of new legislation to protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights. The group is part of a broader partnership, which brings together First Nations experts and representatives from Australian Government departments to partner in the development of the stand-alone legislation. Read our news story at What's new.
Meet the 8 members of the First Nations expert working group who will partner in the development of the new laws.
Dr Terri Janke (Chair)
Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana, and Meriam woman, is the Solicitor Director of Terri Janke and Company, a legal and consulting firm. A global leader in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights, she created the True Tracks® Principles, a respected framework for protecting Indigenous Knowledge. With over 20 years of experience, Dr Janke has advised clients on ICIP across sectors including arts, film, culture, cultural and collecting institutions and environmental management. She has also written extensively and produced numerous reports about the need for a new law to protect ICIP.
Chrissy Grant
Chrissy Grant is an Elder and descendant of the Aboriginal Eastern Kuku Yalanji from the Jalunji-Warra clan and Torres Strait Islander Mualgal from Kubin on Moa Island. With more than 38 years of experience, she has worked at the national and international levels in cultural and natural resource management. Her work primarily involves collaborating with Traditional Owner groups to identify their cultural values, heritage management, conservation and protection. She held the position of Chair of the AIATSIS Research Ethics Committee for 12 years, and wrote the cultural protocols and ethical guidelines for her Eastern Kuku Yalanji community for the negotiations for the handback of 4 National Parks in the Cape York region.
Aurora Milroy
Aurora Milroy is a Palyku woman and the Director of Policy at the National Native Title Council. Her professional experience focuses on Indigenous law, policy and governance and includes previous roles at the University of Western Australia and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coalition of Peaks.
Professor Deen Sanders OAM
Professor Deen Sanders OAM is a Worimi Giparr (cultural leader) in his community. He has more than 30 years of experience in the corporate environment of regulation and government. He is an expert on governance, law, lore and leadership and has held senior positions in both business and government. He acts as a critical adviser to clients on sensitive and significant matters of ethics, economics, space, climate change and strategy. He has a particular dedication to the role that Indigenous knowledge, culture and science have in shaping the future of business, law and policy – knowing it holds the answer to most of the world's critical challenges.
Craig Aspinall
Craig Aspinall was born and raised on the NSW Lower North Coast and is a descendant of the Kabook and Watoo clans of the Guringay people. He has a special interest in ICIP as it applies to natural resources and the environment. In his management roles across NSW Government agencies, Craig has conducted numerous presentations to introduce the concept of 'What is ICIP?' and ICIP Protocol. Throughout his 32 years of experience in government, not-for-profit, natural resources and education sectors, Craig has delivered various Aboriginal programs including establishing the first Aboriginal Landcare program in NSW, Working Together in 2021. He has actively represented and advocated for the rights and interests of First Nations peoples, especially within his expertise of sea country management.
Bibi Barba
Bibi Barba is a proud Aboriginal saltwater woman and recognised cultural leader from the Darumbal Old, Darkinjung, Cammerygal, Gadigal, Yuin NSW tribal clans. With over 35 years of experience, her artistic talent and artwork have gained international recognition. As an international expert in ICIP, she has empowered herself and educated Aboriginal artists about their rights through various stakeholders such as ArtsLaw and Create NSW, and as a Sydney Metro public art expert advisor and national First Nations consultant for the National Landcare Network. Bibi currently works for Create NSW and is a member of the Indigenous Caucus for the United Nations' World Intellectual Property Organization.
James Morgan
James Morgan is a Bininj man from Kakadu and is currently a senior ranger protecting his family's Country and rock art sites in Kakadu. James is an honorary lecturer at the Australian National University, where he provides conservation and cultural expertise. Additionally, he develops and licenses educational ICIP material for tertiary micro-credentials and courses with Charles Darwin University. He has 10 years of Commonwealth Public Service experience and is completing a Bachelor of Laws. James is passionate about economic self-determination using Bininj knowledge. He founded Yibekka Kakadu Rock Art Tours, focusing on increasing local Aboriginal participation and protecting ICIP.
Dr Alana Gall
Dr Alana Gall is a proud Truwulway woman from the north-east coast of Lutruwita (Tasmanian Aboriginal). She currently holds the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Southern Cross University, where she leads a research program centred around Indigenous Traditional Medicines in Australia. Her main objectives are to protect and preserve traditional medicines for future generations through health policy and law. Dr Gall has over a decade of experience in research and research translation in Indigenous health, with a strong focus on Indigenous and Decolonising Research Methodologies.
Media enquiries
For media enquiries about the First Nations expert working group or Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property matters, email media@infrastructure.gov.au.
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The first principle guiding all actions in Australia's National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place, including the development of the stand-alone legislation, is that First Nations arts and culture must be First Nations-led.
The Office for the Arts is committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are partners in the development of the legislation. This approach aligns with the strong partnership principles to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform One (formal partnerships and shared decision-making).
For more information about the new stand-alone legislation to protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, visit the ICIP webpage.