The Indigenous Unit is part of the Northern Regional Library & Information Service and is based in Moree, servicing the shires of Brewarrina, Gwydir, Moree Plains and Walgett. Included within these shires are a substantial number of Aboriginal settlements. They include; Boggabilla, Boomi, Brewarrina, Collarenebri, Mungindi, Toomelah, Walgett and Moree itself.

During the 1980's Librarian, Marvis Sofield, as part of her brief, actively sought Aboriginal patrons for the library. She created and provided a high-profile library service to the people of this region.

Following Marvis, the current library policy was instigated when librarian Wendy McGregor became manager in 1989. She aimed to further promote a library service to Aboriginal people by incorporating an Indigenous Unit within the library. This Indigenous Unit would act to serve as a source for documenting Aboriginal history / family history, and the collecting of photographs which is important in preserving Gamilaroi (Kamilaroi) culture, traditions, family pride and a sense of belonging.

In 1995 the Indigenous Unit was established. It became the first family history and photograph unit of its kind; encouraging Aboriginal participation within the library service. By setting this precedent, it was hoped that what was being done at the Indigenous Unit would be recognized and followed by other libraries throughout Australia to document Aboriginal history before it is all lost, particularly family history.

Family genealogies and photographs have been a major draw card in Aboriginal library usage, as knowing one's family, people and origins are of paramount interest. The collection the Indigenous Unit currently houses includes an enormous number of genealogies, photographs and resources to assist Aboriginal genealogy searches. The huge collections of Aboriginal family trees that we hold have been built by the traditional way of bartering - swapping information.

Since establishment the Indigenous Unit has been actively involved in many Aboriginal community projects, including the Premiere of Rabbit Proof Fence and Identification & Restoration of the Aboriginal Section of the Moree Cemetery. Two books from the Moree Mob Series Volume I - Winanga-Li and Volume II - Burrul Wallaay have been published in recent years to outline Aboriginal History and Family History from Moree.

Today the Indigenous Unit continues to help people with Aboriginal history and family history enquiries through their services, and through liaisons with other organizations. We aim to document, preserve and protect Aboriginal information and objects of significant importance to Aboriginal people for our people of today, and for future generations.

There is a saying that sums it all up "You have to know from whom and where you come from - to know where you are going."