1. Combining the old with the new: using new technology to document and preserve indigenous knowledge Troy Mallie Project Officer Aboriginal 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 )
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 Park Cultural Site Management System

7. Development of the Uluru Model
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

11. Map interface to locate cultural sites

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

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

15. Chief Roi Mata’s Domain - Vanuatu

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. Brief History in Wet Tropics
1988 – WTWHA listed for Natural and Scenic values
– 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

20. Cultural Heritage Mapping Project
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

21. Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Aboriginal Rainforest Council
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

22. 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

23. 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

24. “Hybrid” System

25. Security Hierarchy Design

26. Ngadjon Jii Local system

27. Ngadjon Jii Local system cont.

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. Aboriginal Rainforest Council 277 Hartley Street Portsmith QLD 4870
THANK- YOU
Aboriginal Rainforest Council
277 Hartley Street Portsmith QLD 4870
AUSTRALIA Ph
Troy Mallie – Project Officer