The Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies was formed through an Act of Parliament in 1964. The intent was to establish an institute with an academic focus to ' record the language, song, art, material culture, ceremonial life and social structure of Aboriginal people.'
In 1989 ' The Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies becomes the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). A new Act is passed which sees a reduced council of nine members with a mandatory minimum of five members being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.' (https://aiatsis.gov.au/aiatsis-journey
