Culturally sensitive collections
We are privileged to be the custodian of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections.
We are committed to developing culturally competent practices and changing past policies and procedures in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples.
There may be times when these resources may breach copyright, relevant lore/laws, or contain culturally sensitive information. Use the information on this page to raise an issue with a resource or access support:
Cultural advice for resources and sites
To support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in using Library materials, we do our best to notify you where collections or sites (including in Library Search and UQ eSpace) contain culturally sensitive information.
We are not always able to notify you about whether external resources (including databases or external links) contain culturally sensitive information. Please navigate the external resources we link to with careful consideration of any cultural sensitivities.
Cultural advice statement
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised the Library and our websites may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander material and information accessed on this site may be culturally sensitive for some individuals and communities.
Some material may contain language, terms, or descriptions that reflect the authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may be considered inappropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of The University of Queensland. While the information may not reflect current understandings, it is provided in an historical context.
Flag a resource for review or make a takedown request
You can flag or request the takedown of resources that you believe breach copyright, relevant laws, or lore, or contain culturally sensitive information. We will investigate the materials and work with you to resolve the matter promptly.
Contact us to report a resource
Email us at indigenous-enquiries@library.uq.edu.au. Please provide:
- Your name, email and phone number
- Details about the material:
- The full URL where the material was found
- The resources of concern and the reason, e.g. copyright, privacy, obscenity, defamation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural protocols, or another issue.
If the request relates to copyright, please include supporting documentation that you are the rights holder or an authorised representative.
How we will respond to your report
We will investigate your request and may:
- determine that the collection can remain available and unchanged
- apply an appropriate cultural advice statement (where we control the collection)
- temporarily restrict, mediate or remove (takedown) items
- where items are restricted, mediated or taken down - we may restore them unchanged or with changes.
We will advise you on the actions we have taken including whether a collection has been altered, restricted or taken down.
Guiding documents and principles
The development of our cultural advice statement and process for the review of culturally sensitive materials was guided by the following documents and trauma-informed and Indigenous record-keeping practices and discussions.
- Takedown Position Statement and Guidelines by National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA)
- Protocols for Libraries, Archives and Information Services (2012) by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library, Information and Resource Network.
- Tandanya – Adelaide Declaration from the 2019 inaugural Indigenous Council on Archives (ICA) Indigenous Matters Summit.
Wellbeing support resources
We understand that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may interact with resources within UQ Collections that are outdated, offensive and retraumatising. If you or someone you know is affected by these materials, you may like to contact one or more of the following services:
- 13YARN - a 24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Gallang Place – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation - for culturally appropriate counselling and support services
- Lifeline - for 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention
- UQ Mental Health and emotional support: offering a range of different counselling sessions including one-on-one appointments, group sessions and online support.
Recognition and respect
The Library operates on Aboriginal lands and respects and acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Australians. We are working to make traditional knowledges an integral component of our work.