Restoring respect for an
ancient Indigenous Culture
Cultivating a more educated understanding and awareness of an ancient culture and historical events
The Indigenous Australian Collective® acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation, and the traditional custodians of the lands and waters where we live, learn, and work.
The Indigenous Australian Collective®
It began with one man's passion for gathering a collection of historical books, illustrations, maps, and other artifacts that documented the colonialists' observations of the Original peoples of the Australian continent.
In 2016, Jason Engelbrecht began the process of researching and purchasing historical books with first-hand accounts of the Indigenous people of South East Queensland and New South Wales. Of personal interest to him, these books outlined observations of his Ancestors.
A vision quickly grew, to amass the world's largest Indigenous library, to showcase the wisdom, healing techniques, and science of every Indigenous culture around the world.
It would form the hub of a worldwide network of Empowerment Centres, established to restore a sense of pride and dignity, of returning to Original ways of living together in harmony, and with respect for each other and nature.
Unfortunately Jason was unable to secure the support required to continue with the collection. Paying for storage and the other expenses associated with keeping priceless historical documents exhausted the funds Jason had set aside for the project.
The more than 700 items had to be sold at considerable personal loss, and the dream put on hold.
What this allowed, was for Jason and his partner Shelley to fast-track their healing work together, and to pursue the dream of establishing Empowerment Centres.
"My vision is to shift the conversation from a political one to a spiritual one using the collection as leverage"
Jason Engelbrecht
We're seeing a future where
Indigenous science and wisdom
is celebrated
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Education
Growing and learning are the foundations of a harmonious society, where elders are respected and nurtured, and differences are celebrated.
Empowerment
With a broader understanding, comes empowerment, pride, and a sense of purpose.
Harmony
From an empowered position, there is greater harmony within, and with each other, leading to stronger, more supportive communities.
Where we're going
The Indigenous Australian Collective’s® mission is to assist in bringing a more educated
understanding and awareness of an ancient culture and historical events to Australian society.
Culture
Empowerment Centres
Repository
We want to see Indigenous wisdom and traditions woven into the fabric of Australian culture.
Where Australia's Original people are treated with respect they deserve—they thrived here in a harmonious way for over 100,000 years.
A culture that can survive an ice age or two, can teach us a great deal.
We plan on opening cultural information and healing centres across the country where Australian and international visitors can see, study, and simply spend time with these exciting, dynamic and rare works.
These empowerment centres will be important places of learning and growing where culture is celebrated.
The collection will continue growing, and we welcome donated items or loans from private collections.
We will also give a home to repatriated items returning home to Australian soil in the event that no special keeping place has been identified for them.
They will be given the respect and reverence they deserve.
Snapshot of the historical research resources
A collection of historical research resources to bring an educated understanding of an ancient culture to the modern world
A broader perspective brings acceptance and unity
This privately-owned collection of over 700 items has been sourced with a primary focus of presenting an unbiased view of historical events on Australian soil—with a view to raising public awareness.
The collection also documents the impact of colonialisation on Australia's Indigenous people and the South Pacific Islanders.
There are books dating back to the 1770s, illustrations, postcards, and media accounts from the early 1800s, manuscripts, maps, artifacts, and Government reports—some of which have never been seen by the public.
Of particular interest are The London Illustrated News articles detailing the emigrant's journey to Australia, and The Australian Illustrated News chronicling their new life in Australia.
Relating to both Australia and North America, is the 1830 Government paper entitled "Colonial Grants: Copy of the Conditions under which Lands are granted in the British North American Colonies, and in the Colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land."
Another feature of the collection is Saxe Bannister's important works in human rights advocacy for First Nations peoples across all British Colonies 1830 to 1838. At the same time, we have William Howitt chronicling "Colonization and Christianity: A Popular History of the Treatment of the Natives by Europeans in all their Colonies" in 1838.
Currently located in Sydney, the collection is available to lease for:
- Exhibiting throughout Australia and internationally
- Research purposes
- The development of cooperative Government policies
- Enhancing the education curriculum
- Referencing in films and documentaries.
Govt reports, Acts, legislation, humanitarian endeavours
New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland,
Western Australia, Northern Territory
New South Wales Copies of Royal Instructions for promoting the Moral and Religious Instructions of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of New Holland or
Van Diemen’s Land from 1820
British Parliamentary Papers and other correspondences from 1836—Relating to
Aboriginal Tribes in British Possessions
Copy of Any Correspondence and Documents, Showing the Progress of Measures Taken for the Advancement of Religion in Australia (Reports Catholic clergy to be sent to Norfolk Island Presbyterian mission to aborigines. Urges establishment of a mission station at
Moreton Bay) 1837
Copies or Extracts from the Despatches of the Governors of the Australian colonies, with the Reports of the Protectors of the Aborigines, and any other Correspondence to Illustrate the Condition of the Aboriginal Population 1844
Reports on the protection policies of the Aborigines from 1853 to 1952
The Native Police documents from 1857
Royal Commission on the Aborigines 1877 Inquiry Into the Present Condition of the Aborigines of this Colony, and to Advise as to the Best Means of Caring for, and Dealing with Them, In the Future
Royal Commission 1884 to Inquire into the Treatment of Aboriginal Native Prisoners of the Crown in This Colony (Western Australia)
Exploration and immigration
The History of New Holland, from its First Discovery in 1616, to the present time (1787) with a particular account of its produce and inhabitants; and a description of Botany Bay
A Short Review of the Political State of Great Britain at the Commencement of the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Seven (1787)
The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay with an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, 1789 (first edition)
First appointed surveyors—Oxley (1820) and Hodgkinson's (1844) journals, maps, and reminiscences
Land grant certificates from 1821
Royal Instructions from 1831 re disposing of waste lands (Crown Lands) and Emigration
Major Mitchell's expeditions and supplements to the NSW Government Gazette 1846 and 1857
Anthropology and ethnology
The Sixth edition of an 1826 Essay on the Principle of Population, or a View of its Past and Present Effects on Human Happiness in two volumes
The Frontier wars
Black War: The Hobart Town Gazette— 16 issues from 1830 re the Black Line military operations against the Aborigines of Tasmania
Copies or Extracts of Despatches relative to the Massacre (Myall Creek) of various Aborigines of Australia, in the year 1838, and respecting the Trial of their Murderers
The team
Jason Engelbrecht
Research Director
Jason's ambition is multi-faceted. His present focus is to display the collection, to raise awareness of an ancient culture and historical events.
You can now find Jason at www.divinebalance.com.au
Shelley McConaghy
Business Manager
Shelley’s mission is to bring more balance and harmony to the planet. She handles the business operations and client liaison, supporting Jason to achieve his vision.
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