New Indigenous Atlas launches at ANU

Senator Patrick Dodson has launched the 2^nd edition of the Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia at ANU this week. This unique resource, extensively updated through a collaboration between ANU, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Macquarie Dictionary, provides a vivid insight into the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the landscape on which they have lived for over 60,000 years.

Senator Dodson said of the new edition, “The Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia has a place on the work table of every Australian student, on the coffee table of every Australian home and on the desk of every Australian political representative."

The Atlas is the result of hard work from dozens of contributors across a diverse range of fields, led by volunteer editors Frances Morphy and Bill Arthur of the ANU Centre for Economic and Policy Research (CAEPR).

Professor Tony Dreise, Director of the ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, says the atlas covers everything from housing to astronomy.

“It's a starting point for understanding historical and contemporary First Nations Australia. A resource like this should sit in every classroom in Australia," Professor Dreise said.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt AC recognised that effort contributors had put in to bringing the project to fruition, and the important responsibility it represents of the ANU towards Indigenous reconciliation and advancement.

"As Australia's national university ANU has a unique and profoundly important responsibility to contribute to the advancement of Australia's First Peoples," Professor Schmidt said. “It has been labour of love, bringing researchers, government and members of the Indigenous community together to create a resource for the nation."

The Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia 2^nd Edition is available now from Pan Macmillan Australia and selected booksellers, including Harry Hartog at ANU. https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760556587/