Associate Professor Steve Kinnane

Chair of Indigenous Studies, Nulungu Research Institute
BA (Hons) Sustainability, Murdoch University

Email: stephen.kinnane@nd.edu.au
Phone: 08 9192 0670

  • Biography

    Steve Kinnane has been an active researcher and writer for more than 30 years as well as lecturing and working on community cultural heritage and development projects. His interests are diverse encompassing Aboriginal history, creative documentary (both visual and literary), and tensions surrounding the ideals of sustainability and relationships between community, Country, economy and human development. He Lectured at Murdoch University in Australian Indigenous Studies and Sustainability (1996 - 2004); completed a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Canberra (2005 - 2008); was co-founder of and Senior Researcher with the Nulungu Research Institute of the University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome (2008 - 2016); was a member of the curatorial team of the New Museum Project of Western Australia (2017 - 2020); and was Research Coordinator for the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC) (2021 - 2023).

    Steve co-wrote and produced The Coolbaroo Club (1996) an ABC TV documentary, awarded the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Human Rights Award for the Arts. His book, Shadow Lines (2004), Fremantle Arts Centre Press, was awarded the WA Premier’s Award for Non-Fiction 2004, the Federation of Australian Writer’s Award for Non-Fiction 2004, The Stanner Award 2004, and was short-listed for the Queensland, South Australian Premier’s Awards. Steve has also completed numerous reports and evaluations examining sustainable livelihoods, cultural rejuvenation and transmission, cultural and natural resource management, and education pathways focused on community led initiatives and solutions. He is a PhD Research Scholar (P/T) with the Research School of Social Sciences, ANU.  Steve is a Marda Marda from Miriwoong Country in the East Kimberley.

  • Teaching areas

    Steve Kinnane has taught across areas of Indigenous Studies and Sustainability at Murdoch University (MU) - programs that remain active within MU's Indigenous Studies Program (1996 - 2004). He has taught undergraduate, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma Courses in Indigenous Studies at the University of Notre Dame, Australia (2008 - 2016).

    Currently, Steve collaborates in the delivery of Professional Development Courses offered via the Nulungu Research Institute in Aboriginal Research Methodologies and Two Way Research: Collaborating Through Indigenous Methodologies.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Steve has completed a broad range of research outputs in the fields of sustainability, Indigenous community development, social and economic policy, culture, governance, politics and history. At UNDA and Murdoch University Steve has supervised Honours, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma students. Steve has also been active in developing skills and training programs via on-ground research projects to support Indigenous Community Research Practitioners in the Kimberley and the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

  • Books

    • Kinnane, S. (2020, 2003) Shadow Lines, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, Fremantle, Western Australia.
    • Kinnane, S. and Noske, C. (eds.) (2016) Westerly, Volume 60, Issue 1.
    • Kinnane, S., Marsh, L., and Nannup. A. (1992) When the Pelican Laughed, Fremantle  Arts Centre Press, Fremantle, Western Australia.

  • Book chapters

    • Kinnane, S., Thorburn, K., and Ward, J., (2024) ‘Making the intangible count? Metrifictation of the value of cultural activites’, in, Sullivan, P. and Hunt, J. (eds), Reciprocal Accountability and Public Value in Aboriginal Organisations, Springer Nature, Switzerland.
    • Wilks, J., Wilson, K., and Kinnane, S. (2016) ‘Promoting engagement and success at university through strengthening the online learning experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living and studying in remote communities,’ in, Frawley, J., Smith, A. and Larkin, S., Indigenous Pathways and Transitions into Higher Education – From Policy to Practice, Springer, NY.
    • Kinnane, S. (2015) ‘History: a long, slow dance’, in (Price, K. (ed.)) Knowledge of life, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.
    • Kinnane, S. (2014) ‘Tracks’ (Ch 1), in, Morgan, S., Remembered by Heart, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, Fremantle, Western Australia.
    • Haebich, A., and Kinnane, S. (2013), ‘Indigenous Australia’ (Ch 14), Cambridge History of Australia, Volume Two; The Commonwealth of Australia, Cambridge University Press, UK.
    • Kinnane, S., (2010). Blood History. In R. Perkins & M. Langton (eds.). First Australians, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, Victoria.
    • Kinnane, S. (2005) Indigenous Sustainability: Rights, Obligations and a Collective Commitment to Country,’ in, Castellino, J., and Walsh, N., International Law and Indigenous Peoples, The Raoul Wallenberg Institute Human Rights Library, Vol 20, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Leiden/Boston.
    • Kinnane, S., and Marsh, L. (2003) 'Ghost Files: the missing files of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) archive,' in, 'History and Native Title: Studies in Western Australian History,' (ed) Choo, C., Center for Western Australian History, University of Western Australia, Perth.
    • Kinnane, S. (2002) 'Recurring Visions of Australindia', (Ch. 1) in, Country: Visions of Land and People in Western Australia, (eds) Trinca, M., Haebich, A. and Gaynor, A., Museum of Western Australia and the Center for Western Australian History, University of WA, Perth.

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    • Birchmeier, K., Buchanan, G, Dinku, Y, Haviland, M., Kinnane, S., and Yap, M. (2023) Culture and Indigenous Wellbeing: Literature Review for the Kimberley Strong Culture, Strong Place, Strong Families Research and Evaluation Project (Commissioned Report No. 6) Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University.
    • Thorburn, K., Ross, J., and Kinnane, S., (2023) People in the Kimberley have spent decades asking for basics like water and homes. Will the Voice make their calls more compelling?, The Conversation.
    • Konishi, S., Andrews, J., Best, O., Croft, B., Kinnane, S., Lehman, G. and, Whop, J., (2023) ‘Who’s your mob?’: An Australian Indigenous Dictionary of Biography, Australian Book Review, October 23, no. 458.
    • Kinnane, S., (2023) '1988 - Bicentenary Protest', in, Mckenna, M., and Griffiths, T. (eds) The Quest for Indigenous Recognition Project. Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre for Biography. ANU.
    • Kinnane, S., (2023) NFSA Restores: The Coolbaroo Club | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
    • Kinnane, S., (2019) 'Salt: Selected stories and essays' by Bruce Pascoe, Australian Book Review, November 2019, no. 416.
    • Kinnane, S.,(2017) Cultural Solutions in the Kimberley, Position Paper for the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC), Commissioned for the Department of Indigenous Affairs.
    • Kinnane, S. (2016)  ‘Stories from the front,’ in,(Kinnane, S. and Noske, C., (eds.)) Westerly, Volume 60, Issue 1.
    • Kinnane, S., Buchanan, G., Thorburn, K., and McCrohan, P. (2016) An evaluation of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culrture Centre (KALACC) Culture Camps Program, 2015 - 2016, KALACC.
    • Kinnane, S. and Sullivan, P. (2016) An evaluation of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC) Cultural Governance Program 2013 – 2015, KALACC.
    • Golson, K. and Kinnane, S. (2016) ‘An evaluation of Broome Circle’s financial management services, Broome Circle Inc.
    • Kinnane, S., Harrison. J, and Reinecke, I. (2015) ‘Finger Money: the black and white of stolen wages’, in (Haebich, A. and Shultz, J. (eds.)) Looking West, Griffith Review Issue Number 47, UQP.
    • Kinnane, S., Gorring, B., Kennedy, G., Clements, J., and Marshall, M. (2015) Cultural and Natural Resource Management Feasibility Study Report, Regional Development Australia, Kimberley.
    • Kinnane, S., G. Kennedy, B. Gorring, D. Hodgson, C. Walley and S. Wooltorton. (2015) National Judicial College of Australia (NJCA) and Seed Funding from UNDA Cultural Competence Teaching Module Development.
    • Kinnane, S., Wilks, J., Thomas, S., Wilson, K., and Hughes, T. (2014) ‘Can’t be what you can’t see:’ The Transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students to Higher Education, Office for Learning and Teaching, Department of Education, Sydney.
    • Kinnane, S., Wilks, J., Thomas, S., Wilson, K., and Hughes, T., (2014) 'Can't be what you can't see:' the transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to higher education, Literature Review, Office for Learning and Teaching, Department of Education, Sydney, 2014.
    • Raven, M., Katz, I., Griffiths, A. and Kinnane, S. (2014) ‘Renewed Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Department of Health, Department of Health and Ageing (DOH), Canberra. (And associated literature review, consultation reports and discussion paper.)
    • Kinnane, S., Golson, K., and Henderson-Yates, L. (2012). A Twenty-Four Month Evaluation of the Impacts of the Restriction of Take-away Alcohol in Halls Creek, Drug and Alcohol Office, WA.
    • Griffiths, S., and Kinnane, S. (2011), Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Country Plan, Kimberley Language Resource Centre, Halls Creek, WA.
    • Kinnane, S. (2010) , Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Country Plan – Lit Review, Kimberley Language Resource Centre, Halls Creek, WA.
    • Kinnane, S. (2010), Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Country Plan – Discussion Paper, Kimberley Language Resource Centre, Halls Creek, WA.
    • Kinnane, S., Golson, K., and Henderson-Yates, L. (2010)  A Twelve Month Evaluation of the Impacts of the Restriction of Take-away Alcohol in Halls Creek, Drug and Alcohol Authority, WA.
    • Kinnane, S., Henderson-Yates, L, and Parker, H. (2010), A Twenty Four Month Evaluation of the Impacts of the Restriction of Take-away Alcohol in Fitzroy Crossing, Drug and Alcohol Authority, WA.
    • Stasiuk, G., Kinnane, S., (2010)  Keepers of our Stories, The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 39S, pages 87 - 95.
    • Kinnane, S., Henderson-Yates, L, and Parker, H. (2009) A Twelve Month Evaluation of the Impacts of the Restriction of Take-away Alcohol in Fitzroy Crossing, Drug and Alcohol Authority, WA.
    • Kinnane, S., and Read, P. (2007) Indigenous Knowledge in the Workplace, National Centre for Indigenous Studies, ANU, Journal of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, Canberra.
    • Kinnane, S. (et al) (2006) ‘Sea Countries of the South’ Indigenous Interests in the South West Marine Region, National Ocean’s Office, Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra.
    • Kinnane, S. (2007), ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History: Our collective cultures, and hopeful futures’, in M Worby (ed.), Lonely Planet Australia, 15th edn, Lonely Planet Publications, Melbourne.
    • Kinnane, S., 'Vingettes,' in, Croft, B. (2002) South West Central, Exhibition Publication of the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth.
    • Kinnane, S. (2002) Beyond Boundaries: Exploring Indigenous Sustainability Issues within a Regional Focus Through the State Sustainability Strategy, A Sustainability Research Group Discussion Paper for the Sustainability Policy Unit of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, WA Government, Perth.

  • Conference papers

    • Kinnane, S. (2024) 'Beyond the Land of Promises: The long Road to Self Determination' Lucy Ngarble Marshall Nulungu Oration, Nulungu Research Institute of The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome.
    • Kinnane, S., Lefroy, M., and Luliano, S. (2024) 'History West Annual Lecture' Royal WA History Society Annual Lecture - University of Western Australia.
    • Kinnane, S., Hill, B. and Downing, M. (2023) 'First Nations Futures' DASSH Conference and AGM Murdoch University.
    • Kinnane, S. (2023) 'The Impact of Culture on Wellbeing' (Keynote Presentation) Health Research Symposium (2023) Wellbeing Journey Together - University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle.
    • Kinnane, S., Pigram, A., and Croft, I., (2023) 'Strong Culture, Strong Place, Strong Families: KALACC's Community Research Practitioners - Changing the narrative on Aboriginal Cultural Research Practice' (VC's Research Keynote Address), Nulungu Research Week, Broome.
    • Kinnane, S. (2023) 'The Making of the Coolbaroo Club,' Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne.
    • Kinnane, S. (2020) 'Shadow Lines', Kembali 2020 Presented by Writing WA and the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.
    • Kinnane, S. (2020) 'Drawn to the Light' (Keynote Address), Big Sky Writers Festival, Geraldton Universities Centre, Geraldton.
    • Kinnane, S. (2018) 'Indigenous Biography', Re-Framing Indigenous Biography Conference ANU - The National Centre of Biography.
    • Kinnane, S., Pigram, D., and Swaine, R. (2016) 'Kimberley Cultural Renewal: Unsettling the Dynamic; Re-imagining the Future,' International Biennial Conference of the International Australian Studies Association.
    • Wilkes, J., Wilson, K., and Kinnane, S. (2015) 'Promoting Engagement and Success at University Through Strengthening the Online Learning Experiences of Indigenous Students Living and Studying in Remote Communities,' National Indigenous Pathways and Transitions into Higher Education Forum, Charles Darwin University - Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programs (HEPPP).
    • Kinnane, S. (2015) ''Can't be what you can't see': Findings of the OLT funded project examining successful Indigenous transition to higher education', Teaching and Learning Forum, Office of Learning and Teaching - West Australian Network for Dissemination Presentation.
    • Kinnane, S. (2015) 'The Viability and Value of Kimberley Aboriginal Remote Communities,' NAIDOC Week Event, University of Technology Sydney, Jumbanna Institute for Indigenous Education and Learning. Refused Service? 'Closing' Aboriginal Communities in WA & why it matters to all of us.
    • Kinnane, S. (2014) 'Sustainability; Country and Social Reconstruction in the Kimberley,' Encountering the Anthropocene: The Role of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sydney - Sydney Environment Institute.
    • Kinnane, S., Wilkes, J., Wilson, K., Hughes, T., Thomas, S., and Henderson Yates, L. (2014) 'Can't be what you can't see: Successful Indigenous Transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students to Higher Education,' AIATSIS Research Conference.
    • Kinnane, S. (2012) 'The Coolbaroo Club – Reframing Urban Indigenous Documentary Narratives,' International Visible Evidence Conference - Canberra - ANU and the National Film and Sound Archive.
    • Kinnane, S. (2012) 'The Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Country Plan,' National Indigenous Legal Conference - University of Western Australia - Panel Discussion on Native Title and Caring for Country.
    • Kinnane, S., and Golson, K. (2011) 'Alcohol Restrictions in the Kimberley - Impacts and Outcomes of the 24 Month Alcohol Restriction Evaluations for Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek,' AIATSIS Research Conference, ANU, Canberra.
    • Kinnane, S., and Golson, K. (2009) 'A Kimberley Sustainability Plan: Kimberley Appropriate Economies Round Table Forum, Caring for Country Conference - UNDA Broome - Northern Australia Environmental Alliance.
    • Kinnane, S. (2008) 'Shadow Lines: Riding the Boundaries of History,' (Keynote Address), Big Sky Writers Festival - Geraldton - Geraldton Regional Library.
    • Kinnane, S. and Stacey, N. (2006) 'Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainability and Caring for Country,' (Conveners and Presenters) AIATSIS Seminar Series - Semester 2, (In collaboration with Charles Darwin University).
    • Kinnane, S. (2007) 'Kimberley Sustainability Strategy - Strength in Regional Diversity,' AIATSIS Research Conference - ANU - Canberra.
    • Kinnane, S. (2006) 'Shadow Lines: Indigenous Life Narratives,' 2 Deadly - The ATISLRN Conference - University of Technology - Sydney.
    • Kinnane, S. (2006) 'Indigenous Sustainable Livelihoods (Keynote Address), Sustainability of indigenous communities in Australia - Environmental Technology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth.
    • Kinnane, S. (2005) 'Indigenous Histories: Changing the Story,' AIATSIS Seminar Series (Convener and Presenter), AIATSIS, Canberra.
    • Kinnane, S., (2005) 'Kimberley Sustainability Strategy,' (Workshop Discussant and Documenter) Kimberley Appropriate Economies Round Table Forum, Kimberley Land Council, Environs Kimberley and Ecotrust Australia, Fitzroy Crossing.
    • Kinnane, S. (2005) 'Shadow Lines: Re-Framing Aboriginal Histories.' (Panel discussion with Gary Foley and Aileen Moreton-Robinson) Brisbane Writer's Festival - Brisbane.
    • Kinnane, S. (2005) 'Borderlands: Indigenous Literary Non-Fiction' NT Writers Festival - Wordstorm - Darwin.
    • Kinnane, S. (2005) 'Ethical Research in Aboriginal Communities - focused on Caring for Country,' CSIRO Indigenous Knowledges Conference - CSIRO Canberra.
    • Kinnane, S. (2004) 'Shadowlines: Culture, Community and the Power of Revealing Hidden Histories,' Annual conference of the Cultural Studies Association of Australasia,Everyday Transformations: The Twenty-First Century Quotidian, Fremantle.
    • Kinnane, S. (2004) 'Shadow Lines: Meet the Author,' Adelaide Writer's Week - Adelaide February 29 - March 3.
    • Kinnane, S. (2002) 'Indigenous Sustainability: Rights, Obligations and a Collective Commitment to Country,' Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights Conference - National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway - Irish Centre for Human Rights.
    • Kinnane, S. (1998) 'Skin', Adelaide Writer's Week - Adelaide, March 1 - 6.

  • Original creative works

    • Kinnane, S. and Marsh, L. (1996) The Coolbaroo Club, ABC TV Documentary, Australia.

  • Live performances

    • Kinnane, S. (2023) 'Converging Stories' Live Performance - Story and Narrative. Fremantle.

  • Recorded or rendered works

    • Sullivan, P. and Kinnane, S., Golson, K. and Smee, A.(2022) 'Fighting for Aboriginal Self-Determination - Forty Years of Policy Conflict in the Kimberley, ' A podcast series in five episodes (Produced by Kate Golson and Alex Smee). (This podcast was created for the Nulungu Research Institute. Comments from local community members, government bodies and NGOs were sourced from the book, Voices from the front line, published by the Nulungu Research Institute. Comments by local Kimberley community members were recorded at Goolarri Media Enterprises in Broome. Podcast production costs were funded by the Australian Research Council DP160102250).
    • Kinnane, S. (2004) 'Shadow Lines' - Spoken Words Recordings re-written and read by Stephen Kinnane. Radio National, Australian Broadcasting Commission.

  • Curated exhibitions or events

    • Curator for the New Museum, Western Australia - Indigenous Narratives (2017 - 2020)
      Nalang Koort Boodjar Wirn Gallery and collaborating across all galleries with key curators on Kimberley specific narratives and community engagement.

  • In the media

    Television

    • 'The Australian Wars' (known internationally as First Wars) is a three-part (2022) documentary series about the Australian frontier wars, directed and narrated by Indigenous Australian filmmaker Rachel Perkins and made for SBS Television. Steve Kinnane is interviewed in Episode 3 - September 2022.
    • 'The Long Fight for stolen wages for Western Australia's Aboriginal stockmen and women' - 27/07/2015 Steve Kinnane interviewed by Ginny Stein - Late Line - ABC TV.
    • 'First Australians' – Episode 5, Unhealthy Government Experiment (2008) Blackfella Films - Screened on SBS TV Steve Kinnane interviewed on 'The Killing Times' and 'Moore River Native Settlement.'

    Radio/Podcast

    • 'What's in a Name?' Background Briefing - ABC Radio National. Steve Kinnane interviewed by Erin Parke - 03/12/2023.
    • 'The Coolbaroo Club' - Overnights - ABC Radio - Interviewed by Michael Pavlich - 31/07/2023.
    • Banksia: Steve Kinnane On Documentary The Coolbaroo Club At MIFF Stephen Kinnane interviewed by Vanessa Morris, 07/08/2023.
    • 'Fighting for Aboriginal Self-Determination - Forty Years of Policy Conflict in the Kimberley' A podcast series in five episodes by Patrick Sullivan and Steve Kinnane (2022). Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Australia.
    • 'An Object in time - The Whip' Steve Kinnane interviewed by Sara Percy. 'The History Lesson' - Radio National - June 22, 2021.
    • 'Spotlight on Perth's Prohibited Zone and Coolbaroo League in Untold WA podcast.' Perth Drive, ABC Radio Perth, 09/07/2019.
    • 'West Australian Stolen Wages' ABC Radio National - Late Night Live. Steve Kinnane interviewed by Phillip Adams - 25/02/2015.
    • 'WA's Stolen Wages Shame' - Background Briefing - Radio National. Steve Kinnane interviewed by Sarah Dingle - 06/09/2015.

    Online/News

    • Magabala Books announces the 2024 Board and celebrates 21 years of service from out-going Chairperson Tony Lee - July 11, 2024.
    • Articles on First Nations Voice to Parliament - The Conversation 2024
    • Ross, J., Thorburn, K., & Kinnane, S. (n.d.). 'People in the Kimberley have spent decades asking for basics like water and homes. Will the Voice make their calls more compelling?' - Articles on First Nations Voice to Parliament - The Conversation, 2024.
    • 'Stockman Mervyn Street and the history that prompted a $180m Indigenous stolen wages settlement.' Steve Kinnane interviewed by Alys Marshall. ABC Kimberley - 11/11/2023.
    • 'The NFSA Restores the Coolbaroo Club' - Stephen Kinnane tells the story behind the human rights award-winning documentary about the Coolbaroo League, 2023.
    • Book Review and Pod-cast - The Shipping News - 'Shadow Lines.' (2020).
    • 'Stolen wages and living under wage control laws involved long hours, lonely days, say Aboriginal workers' Steve Kinnane interviewed by Joanna Prendergast - .WA Country Hour. ABC News - 20/12/20.
    • 'The little-known story of when Perth banned Indigenous people from the city and suburbs' Stephen Kinnane Interviewed by Rebecca Carmody. ABC News - 29/12/2019.
    • 'Colonial Frontier Massacres researchers add dozens of sites to map of Aboriginal killings' Steve Kinnane interviewed by Matt Bamford - ABC Kimberley - 18/11/2019.
    • 'Jessie Smith's Files Highlight absurd control of Aboriginal Workers' - 04/09/2015 Background Briefing - ABC Radio National. Steve Kinnane interviewed by Sarah Dingle.
    • '"Still waiting for justice" Aboriginal stolen wages in Western Australia' Red Flag- 16 October 2015.

  • Professional affiliations

    2024 - 2015

    • AIATSIS Foundation (Deputy Chair) - 2020 - 2024.
    • AIATSIS Council AIATSIS (To May 2020).
    • AIATSIS Audit and Risk Committee (To May 2020).
    • Magabala Books - Chairperson (2014 - Present).
    • Board Member - Australian Dictionary of Biography (2016 - Present).
    • Editor – National Indigenous Working Party of the Indigenous Biography Project.
    • (Now Chair of the renamed First Nations Biography Working Party from 2024).
    • CI – National Indigenous Research Knowledge Network (NIRAKN) (Till Dec 2019).

    2015 - 2011

    • Panel Member - Indigenous Community Stories (Film and Television Institute).
    • Member – AIATSIS Research Advisory Committee.
    • Member - AIATSIS Publications Committee.
    • Mogumber Advisory Committee – South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.
    • Indigenous Education Consultative Group (IECG) - UNDA.

    2006 - 2004

    • AIATSIS Research Advisory Committee (RAC).

    1997-1994

    • Aboriginal Arts Panel Member- Arts West (WA Department for the Arts).
    • Mogumber Heritage Committee – Secretary – WAC.

  • Community engagement

    Steve Kinnane has worked across diverse Aboriginal community networks in Noongar Country in the South West of Western Australia and across the entire Kimberley Region of Western Australia, including within his own community region of the East Kimberley.

    Steve has been engaged in regional and national community engagement and consultation processes dealing with issues of sustainable development, social and emotional wellbeing frameworks, the impact of alcohol restrictions in the Kimberley region, pathways for Indigenous students to higher education, nationally, and cultural and heritage management and representation.

    Almost of all of Steve's research work has included an element of community engagement, including work for the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre focused on rejuvenating Law and Culture linked to Trade, and the impact of culture on wellbeing.  He has been involved in regional and national forums discussing, debating and upholding cultural governance and regional representation.

  • Awards

    Shadow Lines (2004)

    • Awarded - WA Premiers Award for Non-Fiction.
    • Awarded - Association of Australian Authors Award for Non-Fiction.
    • Awarded - The Stanner Award.
    • Awarded – The Margaret Metcalf Award.
    • Shortlisted - The Queensland Premiers Award.
    • Shortlisted - The South Australian Premier's Award.

    The Coolbaroo Club (1996)

    • 1998  Honorable Mention - 45th Columbus International. Film and Video Festival.
    • 1997  Prestige Award for Documentary - 11th Annual WA Film and Video Festival.
    • 1996  Awarded - Australian Human Rights Award for the Arts, 1996.
    • Nominated - AFI Award, Best Sound in a Non-Feature Film.

    When The Pelican Laughed (1992)

    • 1997  Produced as a Serial Production - Narkaling.
    • 1994  Produced as a Talking Book - WA Blind Society.
    • 1993  WA Premiers Literary Awards  - Short-listed (Non-Fiction).
    • 1992  WA History Awards - Special Commendation.

    Academic Awards

    • 2018  Research School of Social Sciences – Research Director’s Scholarship (ANU).
    • 2002  Joy and Lyn Field Prize for an Honours Thesis dealing with an Australian Topic, Murdoch University.
    • 2001  Vice Chancellor's Commendation for Academic Excellence, Murdoch University.
    • 1999  Vice Chancellor's Commendation for Academic Excellence, Murdoch University.

    Publication Awards - Chapters

    • United Nations Media Prize (2015) Kinnane, S., Harrison. J, and Reinecke, I. ‘Finger Money: the black and white of stolen wages’, in (Haebich, A. and Shultz, J. (eds.)) Looking West, Griffith Review Issue Number 47, UQP. (Finalist in the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Awards 2015 in the Promotion of Indigenous Recognition Award category).
    • Margaret Medcalf Aaward (State archives honours Ms Margaret Medcalf OAM) (2004); Kinnane, S., and Marsh, L. (2003) 'Ghost Files: the missing files of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) archive,' in, 'History and Native Title: Studies in Western Australian History,' (ed) Choo, C., Center for Western Australian History, University of Western Australia, Perth.

  • Other

    Grants

    • Australian Research Council
      Following the Trade Routes: exchange and innovations in cultural economy
      SR200200563 — The Australian National University.
      Investigator (PI)
    • Australian Research Council
      National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network ARC Grant
      SR120100005 — Queensland University of Technology.
      Investigator 2012 - 2016
    • Australian Research Council
      East Perth Power Station and the Electrification of Western Australia: Interpretation of an Historic Site.
      LP0561707 — Murdoch University.
      Investigator

    Other grants

    • AIATSIS.
    • Office of Learning and Teaching.
    • NRMWA.
    • Department of Indigenous Affairs (WA).
    • ATSIC.
    • National Indigenous Australians Agency.
    • Natural Resource Management WA.
    • Department of Health.
    • Drug and Alcohol Office WA.
    • The WA Judiciary.
    • Australia Council.
    • WA Department for the Arts.
    • Australian Film Commission.
    • WA Film Commission.