Vision Statement
The vision of the Indigenous Spatial Group is to promote and inform indigenous perspective, heritage and participation in all aspects of the spatial sciences within the Australia, New Zealand and South West Pacific region.

Governance
The ISG is to be represented by Indigenous people across the geographic coverage of and under the auspices of the Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI).
As we transition towards the establishment of the ISG a steering group comprising persons with an interest in the successful establishment of such a group will have carriage of its formation.

The Rationale/Background for ISG
A significant factor in the rationale for constituting the ISG is the understanding within society today that most well informed people know that spatially related information is an important component in influencing, managing and explaining major and important decisions that affect all of our lives.  Acknowledging that the Indigenous community is an important sector of our society, and recognising their inherent traditional rights and interest in land and waters, that they likewise should have access to the spatial information infrastructure - which includes  technologies, policies, professionals and institutional arrangements - that will facilitate the availability of and access to spatial information and knowledge that will assist Indigenous communities to participate actively in those matters that affect their lives - economical, environmental, cultural and well being.
The SSI as the peak spatial information industry body and good corporate citizen has a philosophy that ensures that all sectors of the community have access to such infrastructure.

Secondly, the decisions/policies of governments and organizations which have been based on spatially related information need to be informed by considered Indigenous comment. This could be provided from or complimented by a body such as the proposed ISG.
Finally, raising the spatial literacy and awareness of Indigenous people, and assisting in gaining access to spatial technologies and knowledge would firstly assist in empowering Indigenous people to gather, maintain and managing their Indigenous cultural information and secondly communicating Indigenous views and their culture to the broader community.
Land is a fundamental element of Indigenous culture and as such, spatial data and information are key properties of the same.

Mission Statement

The mission of the ISG is to:
•    lead and coordinate debate on spatial issues
•    provide advice on policy development, where relevant
•    mentor Indigenous spatial practitioners and professionals
•    be representative of all Indigenous people throughout the geographic coverage of SSI
•    utilize the expertise of spatial practitioners and professionals of the SSI

Structure and Membership
It would be expected that the structure and membership of the ISG would morph as it progressed through the following stages.

•    Establishment phase
-    a small working group of core spatial practitioners who are SSI members who have an interest in establishing a successful ISG be tasked with a short tenured project to create the governance required to get the group created and functioning.
-    Open to interested SSI members
•    Stage 1 – Recruit
-    a core group of members from regions throughout the geographic coverage of SSI to participate as members or in the groups activities
-    persons interested in spatial issues associated with Indigenous people
•    Stage 2
-    Establishment of an ISG Management Committee – total indigenous representation to govern and manage the activities of the group and report to the SSI Board

If you are interested in being informed about activities of the ISG or becoming involved with the group please contact the SSI Indigenous Spatial Group at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it