Aboriginal Researchers and Project
Facilitators
As indicated in the Workshop section of the website we have held
a number of successful research training workshops (Research
Nintiringtjaku) in 2006 run by the Aboriginal organisation Waltja
Tjutangku Palyapayi. An outline of these workshops and
statements of outcome appear in that section, along with some
detail about Research Nintiringtjaku (RN).
The footprint of Waltja is wide across Central Australia,
covering the following language groups: Warlpiri, Luritja, Western
Arrernte, Eastern Arrernte, Pintupi, Kaytetye, Anmatyerr, Alyawarr
and Pitjantjatjara in approximately 30 settlements. The profiles of
20 people who participated in the workshops and indicated their
interest in participating in Desert Knowledge CRC research projects
are contained on the intranet section of the Desert Knowledge CRC
website (see Waltja Researchers). These potential researchers and
project facilitators are drawn from across these language groups.
We strongly encourage Desert Knowledge CRC researchers who are
working in this region to engage with RN researchers in the
settlements they are planning to work with.
At this stage the process for this engagement begins with
contacting the Social Science Coordinator and/or Kate Lawrence
(Waltja Training support) to discuss the research project before
contacting the Research Nintiringtjaku researchers directly. Waltja
has a contract with DEET NT for 2007–08 to provide training
and assistance to RN researchers in access to and use of office
equipment (phone, fax, computer, email, cameras). This will support
RN workers in their negotiations and communication with Desert
Knowledge CRC researchers. So the more that Waltja is kept informed
the better they can support the RN workers.
The wage rates, including the range of levels and types of
research engagement, for RN researchers can be found on the first
page of the Social Science intanet. RN researchers will work
alongside Desert Knowledge CRC researchers, not do their work for
them. And if the project requires expertise that these RN
researchers do not have or if they are unable to assist for any
particular reason, they will be the appropriate people to suggest
others.
At this stage the footprint of Research Nintiringtjaku
researchers is limited to Central Australia. In the future we will
be looking to developing similar research training workshops
further with other Aboriginal registered training organisations
(RTOs). Any suggestions will be welcome by the Social Science
Coordinator.
