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Key takeaways
On the 3-5 November, over 180 participants gathered at James Cook University in Cairns for the Indigenous Australian Datathon (IAD) 2024, to explore the powerful intersection of innovation, traditional knowledge, and technology to solve real-world indigenous community challenges.
This dynamic three-day event brought together data professionals, Indigenous community members and businesses, and students, with more than 50% of participants identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Together, they tackled seven significant challenges impacting Indigenous communities across Australia.
The challenges spanned critical areas, including;
Teams collaborated to devise data-driven and AI-powered solutions, merging cutting-edge technology with deep cultural insights to create impactful outcomes tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.
Each team pitched their solution to a panel of judges with the Disaster Response, Resilience and Safety team winning with the idea of an app that works offline to link remote community members to local resources such as generators and equipment during times of disasters.
Adoption Officer, Keerah Steele , was part of the Disaster Response, Resilience and Safety team who won the pitch with with an innovative, cultulaly inclusive disaster resilience app designed to be locally integrated and managed by the people for the people.
“The experience of listening, brainstorming, and creating an idea was top-notch, thanks to the diverse talents and expertise in the room—not to mention the unique cultural perspectives that added depth to our pitched idea,” says Keerah. “This experience left me feeling inspired and proud to be part of such an event.”
TNQ Drought Hub Director, Professor David Phelps was a part of the Food and Agricultural team where they pitched a blueprint for improving indigenous food security through balancing the growth of commercially viable crops and local market demands by combining traditional knowledge, innovation, technology, experience and science.
David said, “It was terrific to be able to participate in the Indigenous Australian Datathon, and it was worth every moment. The energy, collegiality and support within our agriculture and food security team was palpable for the whole 2 days.”
TNQ Drought Hub Agricultural Innovation and Commercialisation Program Lead, Tony Matchett reflected on his opportunity to attend the IAD, “It was a powerful event and something very different for some of the participants. But it was exciting change to see the shared future and vision of the different representatives wanting to work with trusted partners to get things happening on country.”
The IAD also included an On Country experience in Innisfail where the Goondoi Rangers offered a cultural immersion into the vision, activities, traditions and practices of the Goondoi Rangers and the Dyirribarra/Bagirbarra community.
The TNQ Drought Hub was proud to provide support and be a part of this year’s Indigenous Australian Datathon.
