First Nations Sovereignty and Diplomacy Centre (FNSDC)
FNSDC is a unique ‘dual academy’ led, operated and guided by Indigenous elders in collaboration with non-Indigenous academics within the Faculty of Arts and Society. FNDC's primary focus is to extend and nurture the network of First Nations sovereign groups in Australian First Nations education and research.
FNDC operates with the following three Yolŋu concepts in practice:
Wata - seasonal winds that explain how each group of Yolŋu recognises its place in the world through understanding the winds and breezes that come to them from other places. It talks about being in place and meeting others through connections among places.
Warraw’ – temporary ceremonial shelters where the owners of a particular landscape enact ancestral knowledges under the guidance and supervision of their guardians and custodians.
Mulka' – a space where Yolŋu elders and emerging generations comfortably sit, support each other, and work respectfully with mindfulness of reciprocal care.
A long history of connection and partnership between Yolŋu scholars and elders in communities with CDU academics and researchers is the foundation of the Centre. Recognised by Indigenous communities across NT and beyond, FNSDC provides a culturally comfortable space for First Nation Authorities and teachers to come together to share knowledge and contribute to research projects, teaching-learning programs and language-related research work. These authorities provide cultural expertise and value to courses like the Indigenous Cultural Diplomacy program (Kaurareg, Mawng, Ngambri Nations) and First Nations language programs.
This work is vital in changing non-Indigenous ways of knowing the world and promoting consultative and collaborative research and teaching practices so that First Nations Rom (Culture, Law, System, Values) can be understood properly and taken seriously.
Research strengths:
- First Nations Knowledge Traditions and Philosophies
- First Nations Sovereignty and Diplomacy
- First Nations Languages
Meet our people
Yasunori Hayashi
Lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges - Yolngu Studies
08 8946 6278
CDU Casuarina Campus
Brenda Muthamuluwuy
Lecturer in Aboriginal Futures
brenda.muthamuluwuy@cdu.edu.au
08 8946 7237
CDU Casuarina Campus
Gawura Waṉambi
Lecturer in Aboriginal Studies
08 8946 6067
CDU Casuarina Campus
Joy Bulkanhawuy
Lecturer in Aboriginal Studies
08 8946 7217
Darwin & Galiwin'ku
Dr Kellie Pollard
Lecturer in Aboriginal Futures
08 8946 7354
CDU Casurina Campus
Media and articles
- 2020 | CDU leads way teaching Indigenous languages | 4 March
- 2020 | Yolŋu short courses to teach Matha (language) and Rom (culture) | 16 July
- 2018 | Language classes a must before Garma Festival | 13 June
- 2016 | Unique teamwork opens way to Yolŋu Studies | 8 March
- 2016 | CDU launches world-first course for 2017 | 14 December