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First Australians

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Vincent Lingiari and two other men seated

Michael Jensen, Vincent Lingiari at Wattie Creek [(Daguragu), Northern Territory] when they had water on tap, 1977, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086604

First Australians collections

We hold a diverse range of material, offering a rich interpretation of Australia's past and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

First Australians
Information article
Collection guide
Ferguson Collection

Over 32,000 items, including rare books, pamphlets, maps, and ephemera, covering topics such as Oceania, transport, and literature. Compiled by Sir John Alexander Ferguson, it is a key resource for Australian history and bibliography.

Collection guide
Page from 'maamangku mgurriningi palumpa yuntalpaku', line art depicting a group of three watching community

Sabrina Ferguson Nakamarra, Dennis Nelson and Papunya Literature Production Centre, Maamangku ngurriningi palumpa yuntalpaku, 1987, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3285693260

Family, care, and responsibility

Topic
Family, kinship, care, responsibility

Digital Classroom
Two First Nations women sitting at a table conducting an oral history interview.

Photo of Dr Lorina Barker and Gwen Barker conducting an oral history interview, taken by Peta Barker, 2026

Expressions of interest open for First Nations oral history training program 2026–27

We’re calling for expressions of interest for our inaugural First Nations oral history training program.

News article
A colour pencil hand drawing of Murray Island with hand written notes.

Bryan Keon-Cohen, Greg McIntyre,  Queensland Supreme Court and Australia High Court, Papers of Bryan Keon-Cohen [manuscript] : the Mabo case, 1981-2000, 1981, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-224077217

Edward Koiki Mabo

Topic

In 1992, a decade-long legal battle over Indigenous land rights came to an end.

Digital Classroom
First Australians
Three pieces of ephemera from the 2023 Referendum

A selection of publicly donated referendum items in our collection.

Donate your 2023 Referendum campaign material

We're calling on you to help us collect campaign material from the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Blog
Deadly Dialogues
Deadly Dialogues: Photographers in conversation

A conversation of First Nations photographers with Uncle Mervyn Bishop, Prof. Wayne Quilliam, Aunty Barbara McGrady, Tiffany Garvie, Michael Jalaru Torres, and Tamati Smith.

Event
Video
A fire burning on sand with a night sky behind it
Deadly Dialogues: Karlie Noon and Celeste Carnegie

Astrophysicist and author Karlie Noon held a conversation with Celeste Carnegie discussing the astronomic heritage of Noon's Kamilaroi Peoples and her journey as an ambassador for youth and astronomy.

Event
First Australians
Video
ATDW_Deadly Dialogues
Deadly Dialogues: Joe Williams and Alethea Beetson

Joe Williams and Dr Alethea Beetson in conversation as part of our Deadly Dialogues series.

Event
First Australians
Video
A watercolor painting showing a central elongated figure resembling a fish or marine mammal, with a grid-like pattern. Above the main figure, three smaller, simpler outlines of turtles are sketched. The background consists of soft, earthy tones and textured brushstrokes.

William Westall, Chasm Island, native cave painting, 1803, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138890494

Connections to Country

Topic 

Explore early European encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art through the work of William Westall and engage students in considering the cultural significance of special places.

Digital Classroom
First Australians
A cosy living room. A small table surrounded by four chairs takes up much of the image. There are a few other seats in the image, and artwork and sculpture adorning the walls and shelves lining the walls.

Duldig Studio sitting room. Image courtesy of the Duldig Studio Museum + Sculpture Garden ©2026.

Community Heritage Grants: New Applicants Q&A forum

This was an opportunity to learn more about the Community Heritage Grants program and ask specific questions about your proposal.

Event
A detailed drawing of various hunting implements and weapons. The illustration includes spears, shields, boomerangs, clubs, and other tools, arranged in a grid-like pattern on a plain background. Each item is depicted with precise lines and shading, with some labelled using letters A and B.

Port Jackson Painter, Aboriginal hunting implements and weapons, 1790, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135230406

Changing technology

Topic 

Explore how food production and gathering methods have evolved over time, using artworks and photographs from our collection.

Digital Classroom
First Australians

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