Last updated May 28, 2018 at 3:03 pm
From a knowledge base that spans over 60,000 years, passed through oral tradition, Indigenous science is important for now and our future.
Indigenous scientists, Dr Stacy Mader, Dr Ray Lovett, Assoc Prof Simon Conn, Dr Maree Toombs, Assoc Prof Jason Sharlpes, Brad Moggridge, and Dr Simone Reynolds talk about why they think Indigenous science is so important.
From astronomers to cancer biologists to Indigenous health experts to fire experts, they all agree that it has its place beside Western science. Listening and learning from the First Nations would benefit all Australians.
“It’s highly valuable and there’s something in it for everyone regardless of who you are,” says Simone Reynolds.
To some, like Simon Conn, they see that Indigenous science is part of all sciences and that without it, you’re missing an opportunity to get an entire picture.
With her understanding of Western science, Maree says that the grannies and aunties are the real researchers, and that she just sees herself as “the vehicle for that information to come through.”
The video was provided by the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC).
Thumbnail image: Indigenous scientists and AusSMC staff at SBS/NITV, credit: AusSMC