Love for Life

TKRP - Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways Website
About TKRP
Video: Traditional Knowledge Revival 3 Minutes 30 Seconds
Video: TKRP Logo Music Clip 1 Minute 51 Seconds
Video: TKRP Short Film 5 Minutes 36 Seconds
Video: Media Meet with TKRP 10 Minutes 33 Seconds
Video: Fire and the Story 2 Minutes 9 Seconds
Video: Water We Know 2 Minutes 44 Seconds
Video: TKRP Great Lakes Tour 2008 10 Minutes 34 Seconds
Video: Aak Ninh Minam Pi'an 3 Minutes 3 Seconds
Video: Kalpowar TKRP Project 4 Minutes 8 Seconds
YouTube Channel Mulong TKRP - Where All These Videos Are Listed And Where You Can See Any New Video Released By TKRP

Communities: Aurukun - Cape York
Communities: Djungun - Northern Gulf, Queensland
Communities: Kuku Thaypan - Cape York
Communities: Buru - North Queensland
Communities: Shipton Flats - North Queensland
Communities: Kalpowar - Cape York
Communities: Moriori - New Zealand

Building pathways for community and environmental development through revival of traditional(indigenous) knowledge from a grass roots methodology.

TKRP VIDEOS

Indigenous viewers are warned that there maybe film of deceased persons shown.

The Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways ia a grass roots initiative developed to support community aspirations to record and reapply Traditional Indigenous Knowledge.

There is no doubt that in today's society, our Elders need new tools of todays technology as one of many ways in communicating to our youth and the broader community.

Strengthening the grass roots of our Indigenous knowledge, for the benefit of Environment and Community wellbeing for our future generations.

All films are in respect of supporting communities involved with the strengthening of their culture and environment.

Please do not hesitate to contact through www.tkrp.com.au for any queries or extra information needed on the initiative.

Respects and Goodwill.

ABOUT TKRP

Welcome to the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways (TKRP) website. The Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways was developed from the aspirations of Indigenous Elders, to preserve and recognise Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. Through a grass roots methodology, we are connecting Indigenous groups to recognise and strengthen Traditional Knowledge to benefit Environment and Community well being, for all present and the future generations.

Opportunities to preserve and value Indigenous Traditional Knowledge are endangered by the range of problems within our Environment and Communities today. Avenues for the preservation of Traditional Knowledge are fading and are at risk of being lost altogether. Loss of Traditional knowledge will result in a decline of Indigenous Identity and a severe reduction in the recognition and understanding of an invaluable Sustainable Knowledge System. TKRP is working to strengthen this knowledge, for the benefit of Community and Country, before we loose our invaluable knowledge systems of Indigenous people.

A re-focus of Indigenous Knowledge is a multi-layered healing aspiration of TKRP, which steers the direction of the project towards traditional ways of dealings. The majority of Indigenous Elders in Communities understand the problems with the Community and Environment and bear the frustrations of not being able to re-apply traditional values.

The Elders have voiced many concerns to government and industry relating to the lack of cooperative management regimes, and the lack of recognition of their inherited knowledge system as being of true value to contemporary outcomes.

There is no doubt that in today’s society Elders need new tools and assistance to pass on their traditional values to younger generations. To support this, there is the need for collaborative recognition from other authorities currently responsible for land and community management.

This project is based on

1. ensuring the survival of cultural knowledge; and

2. the opportunity to demonstrate practices that have the ability to ‘innovate’
contemporary management and community outcomes for the benefit of all
generations to come.

TKRP seeks to support Indigenous Elders to mentor the process of Indigenous Knowledge Research and recording throughout Australia and with interests Inter-nationally. The Initiative is rapidly disbursing its recording and mentoring methodology into other regions. The project has a demonstrated record of success, with a focused methodology, that has been built over time from grass roots communinties.

The Project is achieving the following:

1. Transfer of Traditional Knowledge from the Elders to their young people based
on the traditional methods as determined by the Elders.

2. Digitally recording this Traditional Knowledge before it is lost forever.

3. Storing knowledge onto multi-versions of a digital knowledgebase.

4. Incorporating traditional knowledge in cooperative land management strategies
and building this practice into “Best practice principles” in all land management.

5. Building and improving the profile of Indigenous Knowledge and its appreciation
with other land managers and users both nationally and internationally. (Eg,
pastoralists, government and the general public).

6. Creating practical action, research-driven, projects as live case studies to
better collaborative land and community management.

TKRP is continuing to develop by assisting the Elders to conduct their own research on their own terms. The Elders need vital assistance to pass on their knowledge and most importantly, to practically implement their inherited cultural responsibilities in a race against time to rehabilitate our communities and environment.

Communities

The Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways supports community aspirations with the recording and applying of their knowledge to strengthen outcomes for traditional and contemporary wellbeing. Click on the list in the Main Menu to exhibit the locations, their achievements to date, and people involved.

Traditional Knowledge History

The project was initiated in 2001, by the aspirations of the Kuku Thaypan Elders who wanted their knowledge, beliefs and practices recorded and preserved for present and future use by their families and youth.

The Kuku-Thaypan Elders, now known as Dr George Musgrave Snr and Dr Tommy George Snr, are situated in the Cape York region of Far North Queensland, Australia. For many years these Elders have tried to pass on their knowledge, have it secured, and have it put into practice to sustain the future of country and community.

This was seen as a matter of urgency for a local Indidenous North Queensland man by the name of Victor Steffensen, who has been engaged with the Kuku-Thaypan Elders since 1991. Victor has been interested in Traditional Knowledge from a young boy, trying to piece together his grandmothers history and people which was damaged by the stolen generation era.

After years of trial and error, in the year 2000 Victor and the Elders found an opportunity to develop a unique methodology of recording and demonstrating Traditional Knowledge using digital video and computer storage equipment. With very little funding and resources, the team started recording knowledge for no arranged payments. Knowing that it was a job that was to be done urgently, it was initiated from the heart.

TKRP Training Program.

Community Training Program

The training program is based on community mentoring community on the skills and methodology of the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways project.

This includes;

• The recording of traditional knowledge.
• Digital camera use.
• Editing, database use.
• TKRP presentations.
• Traditional land management projects.
• TKRP Web

For the best outcomes, the standard uniform computer used with the project is Apple Mac. TKRP database is free of charge to all Indigenous communities. Budget is based on a five day period, cost can alter in demand on number of trainers and days needed to implement the methodology.

All of the operations and components developed by TKRP are done with the permission granted by the Elders and Traditional Owners. The project's methodology has been developed with the protocols of the Traditional Way of managing and applying cultural knowledge and practices.

TKRP follows a system of methods which encompass the cultural process of the project. This method of process is necessary for the project's successful implementation. Choices made during the project's development are respectful of Aboriginal cultural processes, their mores, and ways of teaching and learning. Therefore, the project methodology seeks to respect and retain the integrity of the transfer of Traditional Knowledge from Elders to youth.

The developing process of adopting Clan groups into the methodology of the project, is based on recognising the Elders as the Mentors. Most Elders recognise other related Clan groups, within their traditional kinship system, and share the same views and strategies for revitalizing their youth and culture.

The project ensures that the Elders have the leading role of demonstrating the project into new areas, so that it produces a positive introduction for other Clan groups to take on the methodology of TKRP trustfully, cost efficiently and in good time.

The way that clan groups are initially encouraged to undertake the project is not through dollars and promises, but by realising the importance of working with their own Elders and Country to do what they can, while they still can.

With developing success and no definite promises, TKRP is working towards strengthening this resource and training component that supports the operations and implementation of TKRP into other areas.

Methodology

All of the operations and components developed by TKRP are done with the permission granted by the Elders and Traditional Owners. The project's methodology has been developed with the protocols of the Traditional Way of managing and applying cultural knowledge and practices.

TKRP follows a system of methods which encompass the cultural process of the project. This method of process is necessary for the project's successful implementation. Choices made during the project's development are respectful of Aboriginal cultural processes, their mores, and ways of teaching and learning. Therefore, the project methodology seeks to respect and retain the integrity of the transfer of Traditional Knowledge from Elders to youth.

The developing process of adopting Clan groups into the methodology of the project, is based on recognising the Elders as the Mentors. Most Elders recognise other related Clan groups, within their traditional kinship system, and share the same views and strategies for revitalizing their youth and culture.

The project ensures that the Elders have the leading role of demonstrating the project into new areas, so that it produces a positive introduction for other Clan groups to take on the methodology of TKRP trustfully, cost efficiently and in good time.

The way that clan groups are initially encouraged to undertake the project is not through dollars and promises, but by realising the importance of working with their own Elders and Country to do what they can, while they still can.

With developing success and no definite promises, TKRP is working towards strengthening this resource and training component that supports the operations and implementation of TKRP into other areas.

Partnerships and Supporting Agencies

TKRP relies on the generosity and foresight of philanthropic organisations to continue its endeavours. Without the support of these organisations, the recording of Traditional Knowledge in a manner conducive to Traditional Culture would not be possible.The success of TKRP is also due to the number of organisations that volunteer their time and expertise. These partnerships support the project with technological advancement, administrative assistance and general consultancy.

TKRP would like to thank these wonderful organisations for their contributions.

Balkanu: TKRP has had a successful partnership with Balkanu since 2003 and has assisted greatly in supporting the first stages of the project with administration, consultation, and vehicle support. Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation.

Telstra Foundation: Telstra assisted with the first stages of the education component in 2006.

The Christensen Fund: While the project struggled to find funds to strengthen its capacity, it was the initial support of The Christensen Fund that gave TKRP the opportunity to initially expand in 2005 into two other communities.

Natural Heritage Trust: The Natural Heritage Trust supported TKRP with funds when the project was only in its infancy. Recently The Natural Heritage trust offered further funding support.

School of Design, University of Technology, Sydney: The School of Design at the University of Technology , Sydney commenced its partnership with the TKRP project in early 2004.

Ilk Media: Ilk Media developed TKRP's website and provides web support.

JCU: James Cook University is supporting the Fire Research Project.

CYPDA: The Cape York Peninsula Development Association is supporting the Fire Research Project.

NOAA: The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is supporting the Fire Research Project.

University of California: The University of California is supporting the Fire Research Project.

Poola Foundation: The Poola Foundation is supporting the Fire Research Project.

Tesag: TESAG is supporting the PhD research.

Native Title Studies Centre: The Native Title Studies Centre is supporting the PhD research.

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation: The Norman Wettenhall Foundation has funded the website.

Glossary

Data Base:

An electronic filing system, based on Aboriginal methods of categorisation, which stores the collected Traditional Knowledge.

Knowledge Fields:

Categories of headings under which information is stored. For example, the category for "Birds" stores knowledge about specific species, their purpose and uses. The information is displayed in video and written form.

Lore:

Acquired knowledge and wisdom that form local rules and customs. Lore is handed down by word of mouth, from generation to generation, usually in the form of stories or historical tales.

Traditional knowledge:

Long-standing traditions and practices encompassing the wisdom, knowledge and teachings of the community. Traditional knowledge is passed on through the generations both demonstratively and orally. Information and Traditional Knowledge is also expressed through stories, and laws. Traditional knowledge is linked to everything, it provides balance to the way we look after the land and how we get along with each other.

Out-Station:

An out-of-town dwelling in a remote area designed to help Traditional people get back onto country.

Story Place:

An area of historical significance. The lores, customs and management needs of the natural surroundings are dictated by its past.

Project Outcomes

This section is based on the many diverse outcomes of the TKRP core program and the Communities involved. Click on the list in the menu section to review the outcomes.

Land Management

This section is a platform to showcase real Indigenous-based, Community and Environmental management projects and aspirations. It is crucial to develop and recognise the benefits of Traditional Knowledge values within the mainstream concerns of today.

The aim is to create more opportunities for communities to apply traditional knowledge in bid to create employment, better awareness and understanding of Indigenous management within the broader community. Click on the projects in the menu bar to see what is going on.

Case Studies - Fire

Kuku-Thaypan Fire Research Project: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=5...

Case Studies - Water

Low Lake Project - KuKu-Thaypan\Lama Lama: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=5...
Pelican Lake - Kuku-Thaypan: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=5...
Saxby Outstation - Kuku-Thaypan: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=5...

Mentorship

All of the operations and components developed by TKRP are done with the permission granted by the Elders and Traditional Owners. The project's methodology has been developed with the protocols of the Traditional Way of managing and applying cultural knowledge and practices.

TKRP follows a system of methods which encompass the cultural process of the project. This method of process is necessary for the project's successful implementation. Choices made during the project's development are respectful of Aboriginal cultural processes, their mores, and ways of teaching and learning. Therefore, the project methodology seeks to respect and retain the integrity of the transfer of Traditional Knowledge from Elders to youth.

The developing process of adopting Clan groups into the methodology of the project, is based on recognising the Elders as the Mentors. Most Elders recognise other related Clan groups, within their traditional kinship system, and share the same views and strategies for revitalizing their youth and culture.

The project ensures that the Elders have the leading role of demonstrating the project into new areas, so that it produces a positive introduction for other Clan groups to take on the methodology of TKRP trustfully, cost efficiently and in good time.

The way that clan groups are initially encouraged to undertake the project is not through dollars and promises, but by realising the importance of working with their own Elders and Country to do what they can, while they still can.

With developing success and no definite promises, TKRP is working towards strengthening this resource and training component that supports the operations and implementation of TKRP into other areas.

Database

The TKRP database was developed to encompass the majority of identified Core Traditional Knowledge Fields, for example, 'Plants' 'Story Places', and 'Animals'. Each knowledge area is a specific field with its own sub-categories that store the cultural information.

Education Shell

The Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways (TKRP) has developed direction towards the practical recording of Indigenous Knowledge and engaging with many communities to assist with the education project objectives. The aspirations that our indigenous Elders have in reapplying their invaluable traditional knowledge is developing into something really special for our community and environment to engage.

It is the first time that our Elders have had the opportunity to undertake a leading demonstrative role towards mainstream educational issues by re-introducing values of their traditional knowledge. Supporting initiatives such as digital technology and practical research implementations, have shown demonstrative pathways in culturally reviving future generations and we aim to deliver cross-cultural collaborations.

While the project has taken time to develop the structure and build relationships to strengthen its capacity and direction, it now has the correct baseline structure in place for the next stages of development. TKRP now has many regions involved, along with the mention of many other clan groups being influenced by the process. The project has developed partnerships and allies in contributing assistance and resources to achieving this important educational initiative.

It is an exciting time for Telstra, University of Technology Sydney, Education Queensland, and other partners to be involved in this project and keep up the momentum of supporting partnerships and opportunities for further operations. It is on behalf of the Elders and indigenous people of Cape York, that we thank Telstra for their most valued support with the Indigenous Education Shell project and that the opportunity is dearly appreciated.

The elders of the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways (TKRP) project would like to thank Telstra Foundation - Balkanu - University Of Technology Sydney

Community Structure

The Support from the Telstra grant has allowed involved clan groups to engage with the recording of traditional knowledge in a way that is uniformed to engaging with educational outcomes. the development of the recording methodology and database has started the process of engaging TKRP communities into the education project objectives. A lot of work has been done to engage and train indigenous clan groups and the communities to engage with the education component.

The sixteen clan groups/regions so far involved and more pending with the TKRP methodology are:
Cape York, Cape Tribulation, South West Queensland, Mackey, Gladstone, Northern and Southern Gulf, Western Australia, South Australia and recently there has been interest in New Zealand and North America.

The Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways Project endeavours to involve all of the regions into education component in progress of further stages as the project strengthens. All the regions have had full presentations of TKRP and the education component and are fully aware of Telstra's funding support.

Schools Involved 2006-07 PDF Print E-mail

Aurukun TKRP project team and the local state school have been major contributors in engaging with the project. The communities project is progressing extremely well with two documentaries completed for education outcomes and Wik study guide for their community. Negotiations are underway for extra curricula activities for school age children. Arrangements to work with the study guide for the second bush Food documentary with the school have been made. Extra curricula activities will also include the introduction into the school of an indigenous Science Educational database. These activities with the school will occure weekly, three hours on Friday has been negotiated with the school. During these lessons the students will actively engage in recording their elders traditional knowledge. The data will then be directly entered into the indigenous science educational database.

Aurukun also received computers and digital recording equipment from Telstra grant to engage with film outcomes for future education material, to assist the content of the education shell. The objective is to have all schools and communities engaged with this methodology in some form to support the content flow. Aurukun TKRP is working with the school and developed a program to incorporate the project. More schools are showing great interest and we endeavoor to creat support behind resourcing their aid.

"A significant effort has been made to work in partnership with the school, this relationship has gradually evolved over the past two year with initial barriers overcome. In november last year our cultural adviser worked with six teaching staff as the Western Cape College Aurukun Campus to develop a study guide for the Bush Food end of the wet educational documentary that this project completed earlier in the year. The study guide tested the students comprehension and literacy skills both in Wik Mungkan and the english language. The familiarity of the subject to the students lives, added important meaning to the lessons, because of this the students participation levels was very high."

Daniel Bracegirdle
Aurukun TKRP Project Manager

Educational Products

Products are being produced that engage traditional knowledge education and developed for community education market that will support the program. This outcome will be further developed to produce more education and mainstream products involving clan members and youth.

Water We Know (documentry DVD)
Bush Food end of the wet part 1 (documentry DVD)
Bush Food part 2 (documentary DVD)
Wik Phrase Book (CD Rom)
Awu- Laya Songlines (CD)

Database Outcomes

The TKRP database has its first stages complete and has been disbursed across to TKRP communities. Clan groups are now recording and storing knowledge ready to sort and categorise information suitable for the education project. UTS have been involved in supporting the expertise side of the development and is also continuing to support further development stages.

The TKRP database is the model in developing the education database. Education Queensland, UTS and nominated schools will be involved in the developing stages of the education database to be introduced to school. The database will be designed to have case studies and shared traditional knowledge from the input of all clan groups and also interactive feature for school participation in guidelines with curriculum.

The TKRP Forum is a discussion space for those involved in the project. We have made the forum viewable by the public in the spirit of sharing knowledge: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_joomlaboard&Itemid=64

LINKS

Links
We are regularly out on the web. When we find a great site we list it here for you to enjoy.
From the list below choose one of our weblink topics, then select a URL to visit.

* Our Sister Organisations (5)

Apunipima Cape York Health Council: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=2&id=7
Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=2&id=9
Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=2&id=10
Cape York Land Council: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=2&id=6
Cape York Partnerships: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=2&id=8

* Recommended Readings (2)

Emplaced Myth: Space, Narrative, and Knowledge in Aboriginal Australia and Papua New Guinea: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=29&id=2...
Shadows in the Dust: a Contemporary Portrait of Aboriginal Station Life: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=29&id=2...

* Recommended Sites (6)

Cape York Organisations: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=28&id=1...
Google Earth: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=28&id=1...
Indigenous Stock Exchange (ISX): http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=28&id=1...
Livingblack SBS: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=28&id=1...
Message Stick ABC: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=28&id=1...
Nailsma: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=28&id=1...

* Partner Organisations (6)

Boston Consulting Group: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=30&id=1...
Cape York Digital Network: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=30&id=1...
Ilk Media: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=30&id=2...
Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=30&id=1...
National Science and Technology Centre: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=30&id=2...
University of Technology, Sydney: http://tkrp.com.au/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=30&id=2...

TKRP SHOP

TKRP seeks to develop a range of Indigenous owned products such as film, music and merchandising produced by involved Communities and Individuals. These products will hold their value for many years to come, they will make a fantastic gift for a friend and will entertain and educate the whole family. We value and appreciate your support.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER FROM OUR SELECTION OF PRODUCTS: https://secure.kickarts.org.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=59&osCsid=5fbe07a...

Awu-Laya Songlines

Elder Dr Tommy George shares the unique traditional sounds of the Awu-Laya (Kuku-Thaypan) people of Cape York, Australia. These remarkable Elders take you on a journey of ancient story and sound. "ORDER NOW": https://secure.kickarts.org.au/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=105&os...

Volunteer

TKRP is not currently advertising any positions of employment. If you are interested in volunteering at TKRP please contact tkrpweb @ balkanu.com.au for more information.

Link to website: http://tkrp.com.au