Revitalisation of indigenous knowledge and culture at “tipping point”
The National Digital Forum at Te Papa, Wellington heard today that revitalisation of indigenous knowledge and culture
was at a “tipping point”, with technology the key to success.
Speaking at the forum Steven Renata, Business Development Director of Kiwa Digital Ltd, drew on his company’s experience
in working with indigenous communities around the world to demonstrate how technology can be used to preserve ancestral
knowledge in formats that are relevant and accessible.
“Technology is the key to promoting and preserving indigenous language and culture” said Renata.
“This week KIWA is working with the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation of Languages at the Pulliima Indigenous Language
and Technology conference to produce a unique digital resource that will bring to life six Aboriginal languages. The
app, created by the groups themselves, will tell the story of each group’s relationship with their land, in their own
language.”
Playing to the audience Australia’s Lost Languages, a song written in 2010 that includes 75 Aboriginal languages no longer actively used, Renata said KIWA was now working
to create resources in eight of these languages.
“The Victorian Aboriginal Corporation of Languages and others are putting huge effort into preserving Australia’s ‘Lost
Languages’ ” said Renata. “This is paying off and we are now at a “tipping point” in terms of their preservation, with
technology the key to success.”
KIWA has undertaken numerous projects with indigenous groups in USA, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand,
where digital books are developed to preserve stories. The communities themselves design the content, drawing on the
knowledge of elders, as well as assets that have been stored for many years; write, illustrate and narrate the stories
in their own language; and then help build them into bilingual experiential digital books that are proven to increase
engagement and understanding.
KIWA plans to further support this work through its R programme, supported by Callaghan Innovation, by introducing a licensable verison of its proprietary software later
this year.
ENDS