ANTaR has been working with Indigenous organisations and leaders on rights and reconciliation issues since 1997. ANTaR is an independent, national network of mainly non-Indigenous organisations and individuals working in support of justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.

ANTaR is an independent NGO and is non-party-political.

ANTaR has a close and unique working relationship with Indigenous leaderships. ANTaR's purpose has always been to support Indigenous people speaking for themselves, rather than to speak for Indigenous people.

ANTaR's Indigenous Reference Group, comprising Indigenous leaders and prominent individuals from around Australia, provides ANTaR with direction and feedback.

Central to ANTaR's activities has been the Sea of Hands. Over 300,000 Australians have put their signatures on a hand in the Sea of Hands and helped in its installation in locations around Australia.

ANTaR works on many levels to achieve its goals. This includes maintaining close liaison with Indigenous leaderships and communities and assisting them to communicate their aspirations and concerns to the wider community; conducting national education and awareness campaigns on Indigenous affairs issues, as well as training, advice and support for Indigenous leaders.

Much of ANTaR's work is carried out by peak state and territory ANTaRs and by numerous local groups. This includes activities focused at a grass-roots level - local reconciliation initiatives which are carried out in conjunction with local Indigenous groups and other members of the local community. There are in excess of 200 local ANTaR groups.

Statement of Purpose

To generate in Australia a moral and legal recognition of and respect for the distinctive status of Indigenous Australians as First Peoples. Recognition of Indigenous Australians' rights, which include self-determination, their relationships to land and the maintenance and growth of their cultures, is essential to creating a just and fair society for all Australians.