Cultural safety for First Australians

We're working on making Trove more accessible for First Australian peoples and communities.

A number of enhancements have been made to increase cultural safety for everyone, and improve discoverability of content relating to First Australian peoples, cultures, and languages.

This work has been achieved through a collaborative approach between Trove and a range of stakeholders, including Trove Partners, and ongoing discussions with First Australian peoples.

Trove is committed to continuing these relationships with Trove Partners and First Australian peoples in regional and remote areas to deliver the best experience that we can for everyone.

If you would like any further information, please use Trove’s Contact Us form.


Acknowledgment of Country

Trove acknowledges First Australian peoples as the Traditional Custodians of this country and their continued connection to land, sea, and culture. Trove pays their respects to the resilience and strength of Ancestors and Elders past, present, and emerging and extends that respect to all First Australian peoples.


Cultural safety

At Trove, we take cultural safety seriously. We aim to keep everyone informed by providing a cultural advice notice at the beginning of each browser session.

The Trove cultural advice notification settings are based on selections you make in each individual web browser session (e.g. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari). To turn the cultural advice notifications on, you need to close all existing web browser sessions, open a new web browser session, access Trove at www.trove.nla.gov.au and opt-in to the cultural advice notification.

Screenshot of Trove Cultural advice

There is the option to continue to receive further cultural advice notices on records that contain culturally sensitive content while using Trove. There is also the choice to opt out of this at the start of a browser session, or at any time during a browser session when prompted.

Informing Trove of culturally sensitive materials

You can inform Trove if you come across material that should be marked as culturally sensitive, and does not have a cultural advice notice that appears on the record. You can also inform Trove of material that is already marked culturally sensitive with a cultural advice notice, but needs further consideration around restrictions, access conditions, blurring of images etc.

To make an enquiry, or to inform Trove of your concern, please use the cultural sensitivity feedback link that appears on Trove records and follow the prompts.

Trove takes cultural safety seriously, and we have a duty of care to everyone. Trove will provide an initial response to your enquiry within two business days.


First Australians content

First Australians landing page

The First Australians landing page will showcase a range of content relating to First Australian peoples, cultures, and languages. This includes content like blogs, help pages, new content available on Trove, and collections curated by Trove Partners and First Australian communities. 

First Australians identifier for Trove records

Search results will display the text "First Australians" on records that include content relating to First Australian peoples, cultures, and languages.

Artwork

Message stick icon  Message Stick – communicating with mob

Message sticks have been used as a communication tool for tens of thousands of years by First Australian peoples to speak with other language, tribal or nation groups. Message sticks are carved, painted or burnt with messages and are transported by hand to others. 

The meaning of the message stick artwork aligns with the work of Trove through connection to information and bringing First Australian peoples together and celebrate stories of life, culture and conversation.

AustLang codes and First Australian languages material

Austlang is the vocabulary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. It is created and maintained by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). It allows you to find items in specific Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages. You can find out more about Austlang and search the vocabulary by visiting https://collection.aiatsis.gov.au/austlang/about

Trove first implemented Austlang in 2019 – the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

Searching for historical documents that include examples of, or identify specific Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander languages can be difficult. Visit our help page for some useful tips on searching for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language content on Trove.

"First Australians"

The terminology Trove has chosen for content and features relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is "First Australians".
"First Australians" is not intended to devalue the use of the collective term "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander", other personal preferences, or replace the use of specific language group names where appropriate or preferred. Where Trove makes specific mention or reference to language content (e.g. Austlang), the collective term "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander" is used.