Completed Projects

Remote Micro business development

Homeland micro e-business: e-learning for family-level businesses on very remote Indigenous communities

In 2006 the Australian Flexible Learning Framework recently awarded $132,000 for a research project to optimise the delivery of e-learning to people developing family-level microbusinesses in very remote places, using ‘Indigenous e-learning Champions’. Three communities were chosen: Mapuru, Donydji and Gawa. This project will use this website as part of its methodology. view the website for a full report

Computer Business Workshops

In April 2006 INC researchers held a “computer microbusiness set-up workshop” for eleven people from remote communities in Arnhemland, which was funded by the Indigenous Business Australia

For the CDU web report visit http://www.cdu.edu.au/newsroom/story.php?nID=923

For a full report of the workshop view webpage or download pdf

We hope to continue to find funding to hold more workshops to respond to the needs identified in the workshop (see the report)

Remote tele-interpreting scoping study

One of the findings of the Sharing the True Stories research into communication breakdown in Aboriginal health care, (see http://www.sharingtruestories.com/ ) was that health interpreters are too few, and need more training. Many people in remote communities are bilingual in English and an Aboriginal language. These people could be employed as tele-interpreters given proper training, accreditation and access to technology. See Aboriginal Tele-interpreting and Translation Services: Scoping Research and Capacity Development in the Aboriginal Health workforce and Aboriginal Interpreter Service workforce in the Northern Territory

Knowledge Work

Software for Indigenous Communities Knowledge Work

In July INC researchers and the Learning Research Group hosted a half day meeting of people from Indigenous Knowledge Centres and the Northern Territory library and Information Services, to discus the development of software tools for knowledge work in Indigenous Communities.
For a full report of the workshop, please click here

Indigenous Knowledge and Resource Management in Northern Australia

Details of this ARC project and publications and findings on digital technology and the knowledge traditions of remote Aboriginal communities can be found at www.cdu.edu.au/ik

Desert knowledge and intellectual property scoping project

The Desert Knowledge CRC has supported a project scoping issues to do with desert knowledge and remote communities. Michael has written a paper which delineates some of the issues which arise when ICT is used in knowledge work in remote communities. See Digital Tools and the Management of Australian Aboriginal Desert Knowledge

Computers in communities

Merrill Dhunumbu

Dhunumbu a young man from Donydji in Eastern Arnhemland received his education from his parents and grandparents on country, he didn’t have the opportunity to attend school. In 2003 he was offered 10 weeks work experience to develop mechanical skills, he so impressed the organisation where he was working that he was asked to return in mid 2004 to pursue a pilots licence. What is it about Dhunumbu that he is able to achieve at such a high level when other youth have been to schools for years have not? His father  suggested that his success is “because he didn’t leave his country and relatives to attend school in the nearby towns”. Research is needed to investigate what is happening here, and the ramifications for education. See: www.schoolfonts.com.au/merrill.htm

Remote perspectives on community capacity

Michael and John are working on collaborative projects with people in remote Yolngu homeland communities, articulating traditional perspectives on key terms in academic and policy discourse. This unfunded research began with addressing the notion of Social Capital from Yolngu perspectives, and will go on to examine Yolngu perspectives on community, intergenerational knowledge building, sustainable livelihoods, identity, and more. See Yolngu Life in the Northern Territory of Australia: The Significance of Community and Social Capital and Social Capital in the Contexts of Yolngu Life

Remote Micro business development

Homeland micro e-business: e-learning for family-level businesses on very remote Indigenous communities

Computer Business Workshops

Remote tele-interpreting

Knowledge Work

Software for Indigenous Communities Knowledge Work

Indigenous Knowledge and Resource Management in Northern Australia

Desert knowledge and intellectual property scoping project

Computers in communities

Merrill Dhunumbu