1 / 31

Introduction

Combining the old with the new: using new technology to document and preserve indigenous knowledge Troy Mallie Project Officer Aboriginal Rainforest Council. Introduction. This presentation will outline the use of contemporary computer technologies, using web-based software design tools to:

sigourney-buckley
Download Presentation

Introduction

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Combining the old with the new: using new technology to document and preserve indigenous knowledgeTroy MallieProject OfficerAboriginal Rainforest Council

  2. Introduction • This presentation will outline the use of contemporary computer technologies, using web-based software design tools to: • Record a variety of cultural heritage – using different media, • Map sites, tracks and specific areas • Monitor to account for changes in heritage over time, • Manage areas to local custom (lore), and with respect to law and • Preserve heritage for future generations,

  3. Introduction continued…… This technology has been used to manage Indigenous knowledge in Australia and Vanuatu with respect to traditional and customary protocols of transferring information between generations Practical Examples of ways that computer technology can be designed according to local protocols will be demonstrated from: Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park – Australia (developed 2001 – 2005) Chief Roi Mata’s domain – Vanuatu (developed 2005-2006) Wet Tropics World Heritage Area – Australia (2007 – under development)

  4. ALL Cultural Heritage Information Management Systems have same underlying system development premise Design and use driven by local indigenous community Cultural information database that stores and provides appropriate access to cultural heritage information Management tool for maintaining and protecting cultural sites Utilises digital maps, photos, videos, documents, database and web technology Empowers local indigenous groups to manage and protect their own knowledge

  5. Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park Chief Roi Mata’s Domain - Vanuatu Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

  6. Uluru Kata-Tjuta National ParkCultural Site Management System

  7. Development of the Uluru Model • 1999 - Traditional Owners requested cultural information to be repatriated and managed by them • Rangers monitoring Rock Art Sites • Decided a computer based system would be needed to store and protect data • Ensure traditional owners were involved in the development of the database • Initial concept drawn in the sand by Elders

  8. Development of the ULURU CSMS • Cultural protocols were developed into system to protect sensitive information (Men’s, Women’s, Public and “Sorry Business” permissions) • User Friendly interface • Spatial representation for cultural sites • Launched 2005

  9. Sensitive information and Security

  10. Map interface to locate cultural sites

  11. Data stored for each site • Ability to add many types of data including: • Images • Video • Word, PDF documents • Sound

  12. Cultural Heritage Management Forms (not only a data archive) Forms developed as a tool for management of cultural sites

  13. Chief Roi Mata’s Domain - Vanuatu

  14. Chief Roi Mata Domain - Development • Developed as a supporting document for nomination of sites for World Heritage listing for it’s cultural landscape • Sites include – burial places, rock art, old village site • Cultural protocols – sensitive and non-sensitive • On-going management tool • Currently being assessed by UNESCO

  15. Wet Tropics World Heritage Area - Cultural Heritage Mapping Project

  16. Aboriginal Rainforest Council Peak representative body for Indigenous land and cultural heritage management - WTWHA • New organisation – 3 years old • Represents 18 Rainforest Aboriginal Tribal Groups across the WTWHA in land and cultural heritage management issues • Implementing Regional Agreement • Including scientific and research permit consultation • Implementing the “Bama” Plan with Girringun and Terrain Ltd

  17. Brief History in Wet Tropics • 1988 – WTWHA listed for Natural and Scenic values • 1988-2005 – discussions and negotiations for cultural recognition in managing WHA landscape – Rainforest Aboriginal Network, Bama Wabu, ARC • 2005 – WTWHA Cultural Mapping Project NHT proposal submitted and notified to be successful • 2006– $1M project launched (funding from May 2006 until June 2008). Scoping for 1st 6 months. • 2007 – CHIMS development commences

  18. ARC Cultural Heritage Mapping Project • Objectives: • Build capacity of local Rainforest Aboriginal groups to document, store and apply their cultural heritage information • Links to Country based planning & other activities supported through Terrain Ltd • Nominate WT WHA for National Heritage Listing and re-list WT WHA for cultural landscape values

  19. Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Traditional Owner Groups Traditional Owner Groups Traditional Owner Groups Traditional Owner Groups Traditional Owner Groups Project Coordination ARC, Girringun, JCU/ CSIRO Terrain Ltd, WTMA Aboriginal Rainforest Council Steering Committee Cultural Heritage Mapping Project Technical Advisory Body (WETMA, EPA, DNRW, DEH, Land Councils GBRMPA etc + Indigenous landscapes Project Project Partners ARC, Girringun, JCU Terrain Ltd, BDT ARC IP Sub-Committee Cultural listing the Wet Tropics Mapping, planning & management of country Training: GIS, GPS, video, oral history etc. Storing and managing information

  20. Current development for the Wet Tropics • 900,000 sq hectare WHA (listed for natural values only) • 18 Tribal Groups and approx 50 clan groups • “Hybrid” system to implemented (regional and local scales catered for) • Security hierarchy is being developed to allow for cultural protocols over the many tribes and clans

  21. CHIMS development • Regional System covering entire WTWHA and other country that the 18 Tribal groups speak for • 4 local pilots selected : • Kuku Nyungkul • Ngadjon Jii • Ma:Mu • Jirrbal Wooroonooran National Park

  22. “Hybrid” System

  23. Security Hierarchy Design

  24. Ngadjon Jii Local system

  25. Ngadjon Jii Local system cont.

  26. Ngadjon Jii Local system cont. • Culture section developed for Non-spatial information • E.g. • Techniques • Dances • Stories

  27. Advantages of these systems Tailored to specific local indigenous community culture and protocols User friendly Can choose to connect to internet or not Licensing – once off, no need for upgrades Away from complexity of GIS

  28. ISSUES Training (on-going) – tailored and focussed on local situation Staff turnover More technical skills need on the ground Trust and relationship building between system developer and local users On-going sustainability of these systems

  29. THANK- YOU Aboriginal Rainforest Council 277 Hartley Street Portsmith QLD 4870 AUSTRALIA Ph 4035 5913 www.arc-inc.org.au Troy Mallie – Project Officer troy@arc-inc.org.au

More Related