Australian Indigenous Collections Online
About
In 2005 the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research at The Australian National University was successful in gaining a one year ARC E-research grant to develop a prototype multi-institutional search engine for Australian Indigenous collections. The E-research grant involves collaboration with Museum Victoria and the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at the University of Western Australia.
The prototype search engine aims to link selected materials from the collections of these two museums and demonstrate the potential for a more comprehensive linking of Indigenous collections in future. The intersection of technical and cultural issues will be investigated in order to identify an optimal model. Current digital models for managing and accessing materials in multiple formats (audio, film, photographic and print materials) will be explored, and a set of cultural protocols developed for a subset of materials from one geographical area. Such an online research tool has the potential to facilitate research across disciplines, encourage collaborations between cultural institutions, and re-connect Indigenous communities with collections.
Project Team:Chief Investigator: Howard Morphy (CCR - ANU)
Partners Investigators: Lindy Allen (MV) and John Stanton (Berndt Museum)
Technical Investigator: Katie Hayne (CCR - ANU)
Programmer: Junran Lei (CCR - ANU)
Indigenous Consultants: Raymattja Marika, Djambawa Marawili, Marrnyula Munungurr and Naminapu Maymuru-White.