2022 FEIT Indigenous Research Grant Recipients

Congratulations to all past recipients of the FEIT Indigenous Research Grant.

Detection of Dry Stone Walls in Support of Indigenous Fire Sticks Fire Management

Lead Chief Investigator: Assoc Prof Martin Tomko, Department of Infrastructure Engineering    
Community Partner: Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

In collaboration with Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, this project focuses on firestick fire management, a Contemporary First Nations peoples’ approach to fire management, and the detection of post-occupation dry stone walls, which act as firebreaks at Budj Bim UNESCO World Heritage Landscape.

By adhering to cultural practices, the protection of cultural and environmental values, and fire management methodologies and regulations, the project will redeploy a previously established lidar/DEM data set to effectively identify and document dry stone walls that are prevalent in the area. The project aims to enable efficiency in identifying fire breaks which assist with fire plan preparation. Project outcomes will also include enriching the existing record of information about the structures, which First Nations labourers have contributed to and enabling better fire protection of Indigenous cultural heritage sites.

Healing Country, Healing People: Restoration of AnkerreAnkerre (Coolabah Swamp)

Lead Chief Investigator: Assoc Prof Juliana Kaya Prpic, Teaching and Learning Lab    
Community Partner: Desert Knowledge Australia, Centre for Appropriate Technology and Central Arrernte Alliance Aboriginal Corporation  

In partnership with Desert Knowledge Australia and the Central Arrernte Aboriginal Community, this project will look to taking essential steps to remediating and reinvigorating Ankerre Ankerre (Coolabah Swamp), which is central to Arrernte Mparntwe culture.

Ankerre Ankerre is a sacred site, which is a vital water catchment area. Today, however, through urban development, altered water flow and the construction of a major road through the site, water is diverted. This is having devastating consequences on the landscape and the wetland ecosystem. This project aims to set the foundations for developing a conceptual model of the area that can bring together traditional Indigenous knowledges and academic expertise in engineering, hydrogeology, hydrology and ecology.