Tui Raven wins Indigenous Leader of the Year Award
University Librarian Hero Macdonald is delighted to announce that Tui Raven, the library’s Senior Manager of Indigenous Programs, has been named the Council of Australian University Librarians Indigenous Leader of the Year for Australia! ‘This prestigious recognition is a testament to Tui’s transformative impact on the library profession and the sector more broadly,’ Hero says.
Tui Raven is a leader and advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledges within libraries and cultural institutions. As the Senior Manager of Indigenous Programs at Deakin Library, she has been instrumental in transforming library practices to honour cultural protocols and create inclusive spaces for Indigenous voices. As Hero mentioned, her leadership shines through in the development of the Guidelines for First Nations Collection Description, a cornerstone document guiding libraries toward culturally respectful cataloguing practices. These guidelines emphasise Indigenous cultural safety, enabling libraries to manage collections in a way that respects Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights.
SDVCA and Deakin Distinguished Professor Liz Johnson remarks, ‘Tui’s work is a key enabler of Deakin’s Indigenous Strategy, and Deakin is fortunate to benefit from her leadership. We are delighted to see Tui recognised by CAUL and look forward to watching her impact grow over future years.’
Within Deakin, Tui recently led the creation of the First Nations Hub, a web portal that pulls together key information about Indigenous knowledges for studies, teaching and research. From properly citing Indigenous knowledges and authorship in research, to understanding principles of ethical engagement with Indigenous data, the First Nations Hub offers useful and practical guidance for students, support staff and graduate researchers. She regularly provides training and workshops with University teaching and learning staff, offering advice and strategy on how to embed Indigenous knowledge into their units. She is also the author of the monthly Blak Focus publication, which staff can read in Network.
In the library, Tui’s approach to service provision is characterised by her commitment to creating an environment that is responsive to the needs of the Deakin community and Indigenous communities. Under her leadership, the library has made strides in re-evaluating its policies and practices. Tui has spearheaded initiatives aimed at increasing understanding of respectful research with, by and for Indigenous peoples. These initiatives include assisting to embed Indigenous knowledges into teaching, learning and research at the University. By fostering an inclusive environment, Tui has enabled a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures within the academic community.
Beyond her work at Deakin, Tui is a thought leader in the library and information sector. She has delivered keynote speeches, including at Kummargi Yulendji 2024, where she shared insights on embedding Indigenous knowledge into university systems. Additionally, she has contributed to critical discussions at conferences like VALA 2024, AIATSIS Summit 2024, ALIA Conference 2024, and the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2024 advocating for the representation and protection of Indigenous knowledges.
Tui’s involvement in advisory groups, including ALIA’s Expert Advisory Group and the Attorney General’s Copyright and AI Reference Group, ensures Indigenous rights are prioritised in policy development and emerging technologies. Her visionary leadership continues to shape and inspire the sector.
Image credit: © Mauro Palmieri