Preserving Indigenous culture in North West Queensland
The Queensland Government has delivered a digital community hub in North West Queensland which it says will help to safeguard Indigenous culture and Close The Gap.
Doomadgee’s new Digital Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) – only the third of its kind in the State – represents a partnership between the Crisafulli Government, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, and the State Library of Queensland.
The facility will enable the community to record, preserve and share local culture and history, safeguarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge for future generations through digital collections and storytelling.
The Digital IKC will also enable digital workshops for micro-business development – supporting entrepreneurship and economic independence for locals – and support emerging digital arts and immersive video storytelling.
Key points
- New Digital Indigenous Knowledge Centre delivered in Doomadgee – only the third community facility of its kind in Queensland.
- The Centre can be used to record, preserve and share local culture and history, safeguarding Indigenous knowledge for future generations.
- The new facility helps residents gain digital skills needed for employment, remote learning, and business development, as well as access online services for health, banking, and government support.
The Doomadgee Digital IKC will be known as Gudidja Marralda Gwarrdon. This translates to Look (Gudidja), Listen (Marralda) and Think (Gwarrdon).
During a decade of decline under Labor, progress on key Closing the Gap targets stalled thanks to the former government’s misguided focus on symbolism over substance and division over delivery.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson, who also opened the Digital IKC on Mornington Island last year, said the Crisafulli Government was committed to closing the digital divide in communities across Queensland.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson.
“The new Doomadgee Digital IKC will vastly improve residents’ access to digital essentials including laptops and iPads, scanners, digital camera kits, digital printing and interactive screens,” Minister Simpson said.
“It will also help residents to gain the digital skills needed for employment, remote learning, business development, and online services such as health, banking, and government support.
“These Digital IKCs are critical projects in addressing Closing the Gap targets in childhood development, learning potential, employment and education, economic participation, culture and languages, and access to information.”
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy, who opened the IKC with Minister Simpson, said this was an important milestone for the Doomadgee community.
“This new facility will expand digital access, build skills, and support economic and cultural opportunities in Doomadgee, one of Queensland’s most remote communities,” Minister Leahy said.
The new Doomadgee Digital IKC will vastly improve residents’ access to digital essentials.
“These IKCs represent vital partnerships with the State Library of Queensland and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils to boost digital inclusion in their communities.”
State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald AM said the Doomadgee Digital IKC would expand creative opportunities in the remote community, while safeguarding language and culture for future generations.
“Doomadgee joins a thriving network of IKCs around the State, strengthening social connections, enabling lifelong learning, and nurturing cultural memory,” Ms McDonald said.
“We are proud to work in partnership with local councils to deliver innovative library services.”
