Understanding the information landscape of indigenous elders' knowledge and cultural practices

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis visual presentation is a timely topic while celebrating the year of Indigenous languages and cultures. However, the continuing impact of colonization, displacement, and oppression still lingers. Cultural traditions, once central to all knowledge practices, have been suppressed or subjugated by Western hegemony. This paper aimed to qualitatively articulate the importance of understanding the information landscape of Indigenous Elders, their role in the community and the correlation of Indigenous knowledge and health informatics. The informatic nature of Elders' knowledge was mapped and guided by two Indigenous Elders from the Ngarrindjeri community in South Australia. Video interviews were transcribed and coded using the Xmind mapping software. Limitations on articulating the knowledge map in its entirety were expected. Research implications will provide excellent opportunities for future research in both cultural, digital and health informatics.