Government Announces Priority of Indigenous Knowledge for Science and Research

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Kado Muir of Leonora is the founder of Dilji Labs.

Kado hopes their technology will combine traditional Aboriginal knowledge with Western research.

“(At) Dilji Labs, we are at the forefront of innovation and technology, bringing dreamtime to learning for today. Our primary product line right now is educational products.”

He says the company’s apps are designed to help teachers and students expand their understanding of Indigenous culture and bring First Nations education into the classroom.

“The education system has a very limited range of products based on Aboriginal knowledge. And this is about keeping kids in school, engaging kids, contextualizing their learning experiences.”

This connection is now part of the new science strategy announced by the federal government.

For the first time under this policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be prioritised in the sector, with Indigenous knowledge being integrated into emerging technologies, particularly digital and data, while protecting their cultural and intellectual property.

Minister of Industry and Science Ed Husic has unveiled a new framework for national priorities in science and research.

“The last time our national science and research priorities were really updated was under Tony Abbott, so given everything we’ve experienced, the challenges, undoubtedly exacerbated by climate change, but also living in a global pandemic, we’ve had to change those priorities.”

The five new priorities include transitioning to a net zero emissions future, supporting healthy and thriving communities, raising awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, protecting and restoring the environment, and building a safe and resilient nation.

The five goals were developed after extensive consultation with communities and scientists across the country.

The team was led by chief scientist Cathy Foley.

“The process of having a national conversation brought in everyone from school children, university students, leading scientists, but we also talked to industry, just mums and dads on the street, we talked to anyone we could listen to. And what was interesting was, in addition to the consensus of those five priorities, we heard that the research community was really enthusiastic about supporting this and couldn’t wait to join in and contribute because there’s a real desire over the next ten years to be part of what’s needed to be able to take full advantage of this great opportunity.”

The new science policy calls for research to develop approaches to climate change adaptation that support regional and remote communities.

The project will involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people conducting research themselves, whether as community leaders, traditional knowledge holders or researchers.

Bradley Moggridge is an Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney.

He says the new research priority is the right move.

“We’ve been doing science for 65,000 years and I think it’s a great opportunity to bring that knowledge alongside Western science, to work together. Indigenous knowledge systems have that experience, that connection, that observation, and also the impact that the Australian environment has had on Indigenous people over the years. We’ve been through climate change, we’ve seen volcanic activity, we’ve seen meteorites and of course we’ve seen floods and droughts like never before, so the opportunity to bring Indigenous knowledge alongside, as an equal, Western science, I think it’s a great opportunity for us to see how those two knowledge systems can work together.”