Tracing Embassy

Tracing Embassy - A relational History and Reimagening of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy explores broader efforts to decolonise civic space by prioritising Country-led design approaches and First Nations Research Methodologies.

Collaborating with tent embassy ambassador Aunty Gwenda Stanley, and artists/ activists Aretha Brown and Esther Stewart, the studio explored strategies for cultural expression, ecological restoration, and storytelling within the NCA zone. The studio reinforces the importance of Indigenous-led decision-making in public space projects and strengthens pathways for ongoing community involvement in the Aboriginal Embassy precincts evolution in advocacy, activism and spatial justice.

The existing embassy is an ongoing piece of activism and demonstration of resilience against historic injustices. It’s a site of such cultural significance as to be placed on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, and it is sitting on unceded, sovereign land – yet First Nations people have no permanent functioning Embassy as so offered to every “other” Country. The design of a permanent structure for this embassy presented students with an opportunity to support culturally appropriate protocols, demonstrate best practice co-design processes, and bolster the on-going fight for social spatial justice and land rights for First Nations Peoples’ Globally.

Studio Leaders: Bradley Kerr / Almo Troup