The TNQ Drought Hub was very pleased to partner with Tropical Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre, the Australian Tropical Herbarium and the CSIRO to hold an event celebrating Reconciliation through Research.

The Reconciliation event featured short, informal talks from Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers and scholars, who showcased projects that bridge Traditional and Western knowledge systems through mutually beneficial and respectful partnerships to deliver great science. Speakers included.

• Dianne Cadet-James, Healthy Ageing Research Team, College of Medicine and Dentistry
• Gerry Turpin, Tropical Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre
• Professor Darren Crayn, Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium
• Fiona Smallwood, Project Officer, Indigenous Science and Engagement, CSIRO
• Dr Pethie Lyons, Research Scientist, Collaborative and Indigenous Science, CSIRO
• Dr Nick Piper, Linguist, Mer Island
• Dr Phurpa Wangchuk, Senior Research Fellow, AITHM

Many of the speakers touched on the importance of engaging with deeply First Nations people around research and including Indigenous researchers. They also discussed the deep levels of knowledge and understand that First Nations people have with country.

Torres Webb was the MC and also kept the crowd entertained musically also featuring Senior Indigenous Ethnobotanist Gerry Turpin and special guest Indigenous writer, filmmaker, musician and consultant applying traditional knowledge in a contemporary context, Victor Steffensen.

Food was provided by an Indigenous catering service who served bush tucker including kangaroo kebabs and damper Davidson plum jam, spiced bush tomato wild relish and roasted wattleseed capsicum and chilli relish.

Around 40 people attended the event.