AIATSIS and INPI Renew Cultural Ties via MoU

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is proud to continue collaborations with the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas (INPI) via the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

In 2019, in collaboration with the Mexican Embassy, AIATSIS contributed to an exchange of knowledge on broad areas of mutual interest as they relate to First Nations People, with a primary focus on key areas such as language preservation and revitalisation, and policy development.

In 2020, AIATSIS reinforced collaboration on First Nations issues between Australia and Mexico through an MoU between AIATSIS and INPI. The MoU led to joint work plans, reciprocal exhibitions in Australia and Mexico, and a cycle of dialogues in relation to good practices in our respective archives.

The exhibition from INPI focussed on the diversity of the living Indigenous cultures of Mexico, while AIATSIS reciprocated with an exhibition centred on the exploration of belonging and identity, through interpersonal relationships, cultural practice, and being on Country.

The Cycle of Dialogues between INPI and AIATSIS involved 10 webinars detailing our respective organisations' best practice approaches to caring for Indigenous Collections. The 'Cycles' discussed the AIATSIS and INPI collections, documentation and cataloguing, automation and access, digitisation, preservation, and conservation.

Mr Leonard Hill, Interim Chief Executive Officer, AIATSIS said "The success of engagement activities between AIATSIS and INPI fostered deep cultural exchange, understanding, and celebrated the resilience and vibrancy of First Nations People and cultures across the globe. We look forward to continuing the enduring relationship built, and further promotion of Australia's interests through culture and Indigenous issues."

Mr Adelfo Regino Montes, the Director General of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), emphasised that in Mexico, the INPI is the entity responsible for attending to Indigenous peoples throughout the national territory. "We are pleased to be able to sign this Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between our institution and the Australian Institute you represent. We are convinced that in this global village, we must contribute our knowledge and experiences to strengthen the work in favour of our peoples and communities, in our case inspired by the norms and principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."

Ms Rachel Moseley, Australian Ambassador to Mexico, said "Cooperation on Indigenous issues is a central part of Australia's foreign policy and the work of Australia's Embassy in Mexico. As the Australian Ambassador to Mexico, I am really proud to see the signing of the second Memorandum of Understanding which will enable INPI and AIATSIS to continue to work together on the preservation of cultural heritage in years to come."

A renewed MoU which commits our respective organisations to promoting the social and economic development of Indigenous Peoples and Communities in the areas of: research; development and preservation of cultural traditions; linguistic and cultural protection, preservation, and promotion; Indigenous traditional knowledge; conservation, restoration, digital preservation; documentation; data cataloguing; automation; and collection development was signed by AIATSIS and INPI at the Museo Indigena on Thursday 11 April 2024.

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About AIATSIS:

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a national institution dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the cultures, histories, and knowledge of Australia's First Nations People (https://aiatsis.gov.au/).

About Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas (INPI):

The National Institute of Indigenous Peoples is recognised as 'the authority of the Federal Executive in matters related to Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples", creating, defining, executing and coordinating policies and programs to guarantee their rights, as well as their integral and sustainable development and the strengthening of their cultures and identities, in accordance with Article 2 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States' (https://www.gob.mx/inpi).