Australian history from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
The Ngura Ninti project
Ngura Ninti will produce a four-volume collection of key documents that narrates Australian history from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. Scheduled for publication by Routledge in 2027, this project aims to provide an inclusive historical account by incorporating many kinds of sources, including images, archival documents, art, songs, performance, story, material culture and Country-specific places or landscapes.
The project is co-led by Professor Barry Judd (University of Melbourne), Professor Katherine Ellinghaus (La Trobe University) and Emeritus Professor Richard Broome (La Trobe University), and a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous editors, divided into four regional teams across Australia.
Indigenous communities are being actively consulted to determine which documents should be included, and they will also be given the opportunity to create contextual essays or commentary to accompany the documents.
The project prioritises Indigenous sovereignty and well-being by ensuring that all material is included with sensitivity to local communities' needs and perspectives.
By placing Indigenous voices and understanding at the forefront, it seeks to educate non-Indigenous community members about Australian history from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. Ngura Ninti means ‘knowing home’. We hope these volumes will help all who live on this continent to extend their knowledge of the history of Australia.
The project welcomes community involvement in many ways, such as suggesting a document, contributing material, local knowledge or yarning with a regional team member. Community members can get in touch with regional teams via email, contact the general project team at: ngura.ninti@latrobe.edu.au
