Indigenous knowledge
It is important to understand the diversity across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This is reflected in different knowledge systems, worldviews, languages and culture.
While exploring the links below, be aware that they might not reflect all First Nations people in Australia.
Explore topics
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Astronomy"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people developed a number of practical ways to observe the Sun, Moon and stars to inform navigation, calendars, and predict weather." -- website
- Bush medicine: Aboriginal remedies for common illsBy Dayman Steptoe + Jessie Passananti • May 3, 2012
- First weaponsExplores the history and innovation behind the weapons used by First Nations peoples in Australia,
- Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
"In partnership with Indigenous communities working on Country, the ALA [Atlas of Living Australia] is exploring the role of information management platforms in bridging the gaps between traditional and western science knowledge for plants and animals and supporting the health, wellbeing and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples." -- website - Indigenous seasonal calendars"Indigenous language groups from across Australia have partnered with CSIRO to co-develop seasonal calendars. They are important enablers for sharing and learning about Indigenous knowledge and management of Country." -- CSIRO website
- Indigenous weather knowledgeRecognises traditional weather and climate knowledge that has been developed and passed down through countless generations by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A partnership of the Bureau of Meteorology, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and Monash University's Centre for Indigenous Studies
- Learning Sites - Living Knowledge: Indigenous knowledge in science educationFeatures knowledge from the Yolnu Sea Country and the Koori Coast.
- Our knowledge, our way guidelines"Indigenous-led approaches to strengthening and sharing our knowledge for land and sea management." -- CSIRO website
- The role of family and kinship in Aboriginal cultureThe concept of kinship describes a person’s responsibilities towards other people, the land and natural resources. Learn about moieties, totems and skin names.
More reading
Aboriginal Biocultural Knowledge in South-Eastern Australia
Provides an insight into the environmental knowledge of Indigenous Australians.
Dark Emu / Bruce Pascoe
The evidence insists that Aboriginal people right across the continent were using domesticated plants, sowing, harvesting, irrigating and storing - behaviours inconsistent with the hunter-gatherer tag.
Bush tucker : Australia's wild food harvest / Tim Low
Uses of wild foods; plant use; medicinal use of plants; Game and hunting methods.
Bush Food / Jennifer Isaacs
Bush Food is an exploration of these traditional skills and a compendium of the kinds of foods eaten by Aborigines.
Knowledge Centres
In Queensland, there are several Indigenous Knowledge Centres operated by Indigenous Shire Councils, with the assistance of the Library Board of Queensland. These centres coordinate activities and programs that support local languages including recordings, workshops and events.