About Indigenous Design

Country

The primacy of Country is viscerally connected to the built and natural environment professions. Given this reality, the power of Indigenous design thinking offers a unique perspective that centres this relationship in order to design ‘for’, ‘of’ and ‘with’ Country. The days of extracting, scarring and desecrating Country should be consigned to the dust bin of history. As design practitioners we operate within a distinct social license, one which should foreground our responsibilities to the planet, to ecological health and to each other. IADA is committed to reassert the centrality of Country as core to our ways of working, consistent with our need to use our skills to improve rather than degrade the places and space in which we work. Country centered design is the key element that binds us and will become a guiding light as the various design professions build their cultural intelligence, in partnership with Indigenous voices.

In the Indigenous Australian context, “Country” encompasses the entire natural and built environment, including land, sea, sky, and all associated life, culture, identity, and spirit. It represents the interconnectedness and spiritual significance of ancestral lands, embodying cultural, social, ecological, and historical dimensions. Indigenous Australians have a reciprocal and custodial relationship with Country, involving responsibilities to care for and protect it. Country is the foundation of Indigenous identities, knowledge systems, and cultural practices, holding stories and spiritual significance. Recognising and respecting Country is crucial for understanding Indigenous cultures, self-determination, land rights, and cultural heritage preservation.

Respect

Indigenous design and local protocols honour the cultural traditions, knowledge systems, and identities of Indigenous peoples. It fosters cultural appreciation, collaboration, and equity by engaging Indigenous communities as active partners in the design process.

Indigenous communities have specific protocols that guide the use, sharing, and protection of their culture and knowledge systems and land. Respecting these protocols ensures that designers align their work with the values and traditional knowledge systems of the Indigenous community they collaborate with.

Respectful Indigenous design goes beyond the final product. It includes ethical considerations such as fair compensation, recognition of intellectual property rights, and long-term community benefits. It empowers Indigenous peoples by supporting economic development, skill-building, and cultural revitalisation.

By engaging in collaborative partnerships, honouring local protocols, incorporating Indigenous-led processes, and considering ethical aspects, designers can create culturally sensitive and impactful designs that celebrate and empower Indigenous cultures.

Knowledge

It’s important to note that Indigenous knowledge systems are diverse, with variations across different Indigenous cultures and regions in Australia. They are dynamic and continue to evolve, incorporating both traditional and contemporary elements. Recognising and respecting the differences between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems is crucial for fostering understanding, promoting cultural diversity, and engaging in meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.

How does Australian Indigenous knowledge systems differ from Western knowledge?

Oral Tradition and Storytelling: Australian Indigenous knowledge is often transmitted orally through storytelling, songlines, and cultural practices. It emphasises the importance of traditional oral history, learning and collective memory, allowing knowledge to be shared across generations. In contrast, Western knowledge often relies on written texts and formal education systems and settings.

Holistic and Interconnected Worldview: Indigenous knowledge systems tend to view the world as interconnected and holistic, recognising the interdependence of all living beings and natural elements. Western knowledge often adopts a reductionist approach, seeking to understand and analyse parts of a system individually.

Relationship with the Environment: Indigenous knowledge places a strong emphasis on the spiritual and cultural connection to land, sky and waters. It acknowledges that humans are an integral part of the environment and promotes sustainable land management practices. Western knowledge, on the other hand, often treats the environment as a resource to be utilised and controlled.

Multiple Ways of Knowing: Indigenous knowledge systems encompass various ways of knowing, including experiential, spiritual, and observational forms of knowledge. Western knowledge predominantly relies on empirical evidence and scientific methodologies.

Time and History: Indigenous knowledge often encompasses deep time perspectives, recognising the ancestral connections and continuity of culture over thousands of years and into the future. Western knowledge tends to focus on more recent historical perspectives.

Collective

The collective effort of design practitioners to work in reciprocal relationship to Country is key pillar of Indigenous design thinking. In partnership with Community and Indigenous practitioners, the various design professions can begin the privilege of working within a collaborative model that parks ego at the door. Instead, in favour of humility, deep listening and the value engaging with sophisticated knowledge systems for the benefit of all projects. Drawing upon Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being – consistent with the culturally responsive design practice protocols of the ‘International Indigenous Design Charter’, ensures that one can navigate socially complex environments and the need to rise to the global challenges that we contend with.

The value of a collective when working with Indigenous placemaking and design lies in its ability to foster inclusive, community-driven processes and outcomes. By engaging with the collective knowledge, experiences, and aspirations of Indigenous communities, a more holistic and culturally sensitive approach to design emerges. Collectives provide a platform for diverse voices to be heard, empowering Indigenous individuals to contribute their expertise, stories, and cultural perspectives. This collaborative approach ensures that Indigenous placemaking and design reflect the needs, values, and aspirations of the community, fostering a sense of ownership, cultural pride, and connection to the created spaces.

Value of Indigenous Design

Indigenous design holds significant value by preserving cultural identity, empowering Indigenous communities economically, promoting sustainability, and promoting cultural diversity. Embracing and valuing Indigenous design contributes to a more inclusive, vibrant, and culturally rich global society.

Indigenous design holds immense value as it embodies the rich cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and unique perspectives of Indigenous communities. It encompasses various creative disciplines, including architecture, Interior, landscape, graphic design.

The value of Indigenous design lies in its ability to bridge the past and the present, encompassing cultural preservation, empowerment, and cultural sustainability through the built environment. It serves as a powerful tool for cultural revitalisation and the transmission of ancestral knowledge to future generations.

By embracing and valuing Indigenous design, societies can support economic empowerment and self-determination while providing opportunities for Indigenous design practitioners to embed their cultural knowledge and connections to place throughout the built and natural environments. It encourages a harmonious relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners, fostering a deeper respect and understanding of Aboriginal land, culture, and community.

Indigenous design in Australia holds significant value on multiple levels, contributing to cultural, social, environmental, and economic aspects of the nation. Here are some key values associated with Indigenous design:

Cultural Preservation and Revitalisation:

Indigenous design celebrates and preserves cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and artistic expressions.
To maintain and revitalize Indigenous languages, stories, symbols, and design elements, fostering cultural continuity and pride among Indigenous communities.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion:

Indigenous design enriches the broader Australian design landscape by offering diverse perspectives, aesthetics, and narratives.
It promotes inclusivity, challenging dominant design paradigms and contributing to a more culturally diverse and representative design industry.

Sustainability and Ecological Stewardship:

Indigenous design principles are often deeply rooted in sustainable practices and a profound connection to the land.
By integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, design can prioritize sustainable materials, environmentally conscious processes, and responsible land management, contributing to ecological stewardship and resilience.

Social Well-being and Community Empowerment:

Indigenous design puts community at the centre, fostering spaces that meet the needs and aspirations of Indigenous peoples.
It creates culturally safe and empowering environments that promote social cohesion, well-being, and a sense of belonging among Indigenous communities.

Economic Opportunities and Indigenous Empowerment:

Indigenous design can generate economic opportunities and empowerment for Indigenous designers, artisans, and related industries.
By valuing and supporting Indigenous design, it can contribute to sustainable economic development, self-determination, and the preservation of cultural livelihoods.

Reconciliation and Truth-Telling:

Indigenous design plays a role in reconciliation efforts by acknowledging and addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation.
It provides a platform for truth-telling, fostering understanding, empathy, and respectful dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

The value of Indigenous design in Australia extends beyond aesthetics and functionality. It embraces cultural resilience, sustainability, social well-being, and economic empowerment.

By recognising and incorporating Indigenous design principles, Australia can foster a more inclusive, respectful, and culturally vibrant design landscape that honours the diverse heritage of Indigenous peoples.