Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Maitland area are the Wonnarua people.

Council has a commitment to strengthening relationships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, histories and cultures. 

In Maitland City, 4,087 residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, which represents 5.3% of the population. In comparison, 2.9% of New South Wales’ residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The proportion of residents identifying as Indigenous has been increasing steadily over the three census periods, from 2.6% in 2006, 3.5% in 2011, to 5.3% in 2016.

4,087
Maitland residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
2.7%
Increase since 2006

NAIDOC Week is celebrated every year in the first week of July. In 2018, Maitland's NAIDOC Week activities are coordinated by Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council which can be contacted on 02 4015 7000.

Aboriginal Reference Group

Council are currently undertaking an expression of interest process to recruit individual and stakeholder representatives for the Aboriginal Reference Group.

The Aboriginal Reference Group will:

  • Provide a structure which will enable effective and sustainable communication between Council and key representatives of the local Aboriginal community
  • Be a conduit between Council and the broader Aboriginal community
  • Provide information, guidance and strategic advice on matters relating to Aboriginal community, culture and heritage.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Aboriginal Reference Group please see the documents below, or contact April Phillips, Community Planner on 02 4934 9835 or at april.phillips@maitland.nsw.gov.au  

Applications for expressions of interest have been extended for 2 weeks, and will close on Wednesday 30 January 2019 (12 midnight).