Our commitment
Caring for Country practices have shaped this continent since time immemorial
Caring for Country practices, including architecture and place-shaping, have existed on this continent since time immemorial.
At the Institute, we are committed to advancing understanding with First Nations peoples in recognition of this enduring and ongoing connection to these lands and waters.
We recognise a professional commitment to engage and act meaningfully through reciprocal partnership and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is with acknowledgement and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Countries, Cultures and Communities, and their ways of being, knowing and doing.
Committee co-chairs
Co-chair
Dr Shaneen Fantin
Shaneen is passionate about placed-based practice that supports Country and culture, championing First Nations leadership and collaboration. She is an architect, project manager and researcher with over 30 years of industry expertise specialising in co-design, engagement, sustainability, and community-driven projects. Shaneen is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, a member of the Queensland Design Review Panel, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Co-chair
Dr Michael Mossman Kuku Yalanji
Michael is a Kuku Yalanji man, registered architect, Associate Professor and researcher. He is an Australian Research Council DAATSIA Fellow in Architecture and Pro-vice Chancellor Indigenous at the University of Sydney. His work champions Country and First Nations cultures as agents for structural change across architectural education, practice and policy.
Committee members
Bradley Kerr Ngugi / Nunukul
Bradley is Director of Winsor Kerr and works with communities and stakeholders to develop design responses grounded in place, Country, Peoples and culture. He is also a curator, educator and advocate for better outcomes for Country and First Nations Peoples.
Professor Paul Memmott AO
Paul is a transdisciplinary architect, anthropologist, researcher and practitioner. His work spans Aboriginal housing, settlement design, cultural landscapes, Indigenous constructs of place, social planning and community wellbeing.
Sarah Lynn Rees Palawa
Sarah is a Palawa woman living and working within the Kulin Nation. She is a lecturer at Monash University, practises architecture at Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, and holds several board and advisory roles across architecture and design.
Dr Beau de Belle Gamilaraay
Beau is a proud Gamilaraay man and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. His work centres on Country-led design, relational pedagogy and First Nations knowledges.
Finn Pedersen
Finn is co-founder and Director of Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects. His work is shaped by an interest in culture, social justice, landscape and the relationship between people and place.
Jasmine Hocking Warlpiri
Tiana Furner Wiradjuri / Gomeroi Yinarr
Cultural reference panel members
Carroll Go-Sam Dyirrbal / Bama
Carroll is an architectural graduate, lecturer and researcher at the University of Queensland. Her work explores Indigenous themes in architecture, place keeping, curriculum and cultural knowledge.
Dillon Kombumerri Yugembir
Dillon is Principal Architect for Government Architect NSW. With more than 25 years in architectural practice, he brings an Aboriginal perspective to projects that support community wellbeing, health and prosperity.
Andrew Lane Dhanggati
Andrew is a Northern Territory born architect whose work has focused on Indigenous housing and infrastructure for more than 30 years, including projects across remote communities and regional Australia.
Jefa Greenaway Wailwan / Kamilaroi
Jefa is founding Director of Greenaway Architects, a University of Melbourne senior academic and a long-standing advocate for Indigenous-led design thinking, including through Indigenous Architecture + Design Victoria.
Georgia Birks Kamilaroi / Dunghutti
Georgia is an associate editor at Architecture Media and a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi and Dunghutti people. She has practised architecture, written widely, curated industry events and contributed to design discourse across Australia.
Kaylie Salvatori Yuin
Craig Kerslake Wiradjuri
The Institute unequivocally supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Statement is an invitation to the broader Australian population to create a better future and proposes some key reforms.
The Statement calls for three actions of Voice, Treaty and Truth addressed as follows in the Statement:
- Voice: We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.
- Treaty and Truth: We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreements between governments and First Nations, and truth telling about our history.
The Institute supports Constitutional Recognition and the Voice to Parliament in the upcoming referendum.
We recognise that Constitutional Recognition of First Nations peoples is the right and just thing to do and is a critical step in righting many of the past wrongs that are deeply entrenched in our history.
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