Ancestral Memory artwork by Maree Clarke. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
Welcome to the Indigenous Knowledges Research Guide
Please be aware that this guide may contain images, names or voices of deceased persons.
Wominjeka. This guide was developed by the University of Melbourne which operates on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present.
This guide provides an introduction to Indigenous knowledge systems and resources. It is the result of a collaborative project between the University Library Team in Student and Scholarly Services and the Indigenous Knowledge Institute. We extend respect to all Indigenous knowledge holders and researchers over many generations, today, and into the future.
Getting Started
If you are not Indigenous, do you know what country you live and work on? Visit AIATSIS to explore a Map of Indigenous Australia representing language groups across the continent. An understanding of your local context is critical to good engagement with Indigenous knowledge.
Another great starting point is the 50 Words Project map, developed by the University of Melbourne's Research Unit for Indigenous Languages, which is a place to learn key words in Indigenous languages from many parts of Australia.
You can also read a short blog post about Indigenous Knowledges that opens the 2020 blog series 23 Research Things.