Land & Technology

Problem: Indigenous communities face challenges with nutritional security, economic sustainability, and cultural disconnection from agriculture, exacerbated by natural disasters and lack of governance. 

Solution:  A holistic platform that reconnects Indigenous communities with their agricultural heritage, leverages traditional knowledge, and creates economic opportunities through sustainable technology. 

Tech Features: An integrated agricultural and technological platform that includes: 

• Community Innovation and Education Hub

• Localised data set for knowledge sharing

• Technology for crop preservation and protection

• Market integration for high-value Indigenous crops

• Tech-enabled knowledge transfer from elders to community

Key Impacts: 

• Nutritional security through Indigenous crop cultivation

• Economic resilience via localised market integration

• Cultural knowledge preservation

• Sustainable agricultural practices

• Technology-enabled community empowerment

The solution aims to transform agricultural challenges into opportunities by embedding Indigenous culture, knowledge, and technological innovation.

Problem: Loss of cultural identity among Indigenous Australians, leading to significant social issues like poor mental health, education challenges, substance abuse, and more.

Solution: "Stronger Roots" - An interactive, gamified learning platform that helps Indigenous Australians, especially young people, reconnect with their cultural heritage and identity. 

Tech Features: A digital platform that: 

• Collects data from National Indigenous Australian agencies

• Records video and audio interviews with community members

• Uses advanced data services to transcribe and categorise content

• Provides a gamified, interactive experience for learning cultural practices, history, and values

• Allows users to access information based on their chosen identity

• Tracks user progress while maintaining privacy

Key Impacts: 

• Culturally sensitive content

• Engaging game-like learning experience

• Preservation of traditional knowledge

• Potential for future expansion of the knowledge base

The solution aims to be a healing tool for both younger and older generations impacted by colonisation and the Stolen Generations.

Problem: Indigenous communities lack a localised, culturally inclusive emergency communication and resource-sharing platform during natural disasters like cyclones and floods, leaving communities vulnerable and disconnected during critical times, especially for remote communities.

Solution: A community-driven mobile app that enables local residents to: 

• Register personal and resource details

• Share emergency information

• Locate local support and resources

• Prioritise vulnerable community members

• Communicate during offline conditions

Tech Features: 

• Works online and offline

• Uses cloud synchronisation technology

• Customisable to local languages

• Generative AI natural language interface

• Ability to search and connect local support resources

• Data sources from emergency services and community databases

Key Differentiators: 

• Built by communities for communities

• Culturally adaptive

• Interactive and user-friendly

• Enables local first-responder coordination

The app aims to transform community resilience by creating a trusted, accessible platform for emergency preparedness and response.

Problem: Uncontrolled vehicle access and misuse of culturally and environmentally sensitive areas, including: 

• Unauthorised vehicle entry into protected zones

• Lack of tracking and monitoring of visitors

• Safety concerns for both visitors and traditional lands

• Potential damage to sacred sites and natural environments

Solution: A digital platform that enables safe, respectful, and monitored access to indigenous lands while protecting cultural and environmental integrity. A digital permit and tracking system that provides: 

• Controlled access points

• Real-time visitor registration and monitoring

• Safety features and emergency support

• Environmental and cultural site protection

Tech Components: 

• Mobile app with GPS tracking

• Choke point cameras

• Emergency alert functionality

• Permit registration system

• Real-time monitoring via satellite internet

• Checkpoint cameras

• Geofencing to prevent access to restricted areas

Key Features: 

• Mandatory app registration

• Real-time location tracking

• Site access restrictions

• Provides safety guidance

• Alerts rangers to off-track movement

• Enables emergency response

• Monitors environmental and cultural site impacts

The solution transforms compliance into a safety-focused, technologically-enabled visitor management system that respects and protects traditional lands.

Problem: Visitors often lack awareness of the cultural considerations, safety guidelines, and traditional custodian practices when entering Indigenous lands. 

Solution: A respectful, tech-enabled way to bridge cultural understanding and awareness for travellers entering indigenous territories. The solution is a geofencing-based mobile notification system that automatically informs travellers about the specific Indigenous land they are entering, providing cultural context, safety information, and opportunities for authentic cultural engagement. 

Technology: SMS geofencing using Amazon Web Services (AWS), specifically: 

• AWS Cloud Platform

• Amazon Application Service for creating geofence blocks

• AWS Lambda function for triggering notifications

• Amazon DynamoDB for storing location and cultural information

Key Benefits: 

• Automatic cultural notifications

• Increased respect for traditional lands

• Potential revenue generation for Indigenous communities

• Educational opportunity for visitors

• Simple and cost-effective implementation

The solution aims to transform how visitors interact with and understand Indigenous lands by providing immediate, contextual information upon entering a new territory.

Problem: Indigenous lands are experiencing extreme fuel loads, high biodiversity loss, and increased fire risks due to disrupted traditional ecological knowledge practices and the impacts of colonisation. 

Solution: Clever Country - An indigenous-owned digital platform that facilitates collaborative data collection, management, and risk assessment for land management across different indigenous communities. 

Technology Features: 

• Satellite and sensor detection of thermal anomalies

• AI-powered centralised watch tower system

• AI-enabled drones for real-time, high-resolution imagery and thermal readings

• Centralised data platform with community-controlled knowledge hubs

Key benefits: 

• Integrates traditional knowledge with modern technology

• Protects Indigenous intellectual property

• Enables efficient fire risk management

• Provides a revenue model for participating Indigenous communities

• Allows selective data sharing with government agencies, insurance companies, and other partners

The solution empowers Indigenous communities to manage their lands more effectively, using cutting-edge technology while maintaining cultural sovereignty and creating potential economic opportunities.

Problem: Uncontrolled feral animals (cattle, horses, and pigs) on Indigenous lands that are destroying native habitats, threatening native species, and spreading invasive weeds. There's currently no digital system to track, monitor, or manage these animals. 

Solution: A community-driven AI-powered tracking and management system that combines ranger knowledge with technology to identify, document, and control feral animal populations. This digital ecosystem management solution would empower Indigenous communities to protect their land and biodiversity using AI and community collaboration. The solution aims to be self-sustaining, initially funded by grants and potentially generating revenue through the management of feral animals while giving traditional owners better decision-making tools and involving younger generations in land management.

Tech Components: 

• Pre-trained object detection model (convolutional neural network)

• Digital survey and information storage system

• Integration with social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp)

• Community engagement through digital literacy training

Key Features: 

• Digitally survey and identify feral animals

• Share information through local community groups

• Determine animal ownership

• Track animal movements and population