Essential Resources & Tools

# Essential Resources & Tools This chapter collects the books, tools, and organisations that will deepen your understanding and support ethical Indigenous engagement in your practice. ## Essential Texts ### The Biggest Estate on Earth  _Fig. 8.1: "The Biggest Estate on Earth" reveals the sophisticated land management systems Aboriginal peoples used across Australia.¹_ **Bill Gammage** — This book directly challenges the colonial narrative of Australia as "untouched wilderness." It demonstrates how Aboriginal peoples actively managed the land for tens of thousands of years.¹ → **[Allen & Unwin](https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/general-books/history/The-Biggest-Estate-on-Earth-Bill-Gammage-9781742377483)** --- ### Dark Emu  _Fig. 8.2: "Dark Emu" challenges colonial narratives about Aboriginal land management and agricultural practices.²_ **Bruce Pascoe** — A popular and accessible introduction to Aboriginal land management practices. Has sparked important national conversations about pre-colonial land use.² → **[Magabala Books](https://www.magabala.com/products/dark-emu)** --- ### Decolonising Methodologies  _Fig. 8.3: "Decolonizing Methodologies" is essential reading for understanding Indigenous research paradigms.³_ **Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Māori)** — Essential reading for understanding how to conduct research and engagement that respects Indigenous knowledge systems. Challenges Western research paradigms and establishes Indigenous research methodologies.³ → **[Zed Books](https://www.zedbooks.net/shop/book/decolonising-methodologies/)** --- ### Research Is Ceremony  _Fig. 8.4: "Research Is Ceremony" presents an Indigenous research paradigm emphasising relationships and ceremony.⁴_ **Shawn Wilson (Opaskwayak Cree)** — Indigenous research paradigm emphasizing relationships and ceremony in knowledge creation.⁴ → **[Fernwood Publishing](https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/research-is-ceremony)** --- ### The Little Red, Yellow, Black Book  _Fig. 8.5: "The Little Red, Yellow, Black Book" provides essential foundational knowledge about Indigenous Australia.⁵_ **AIATSIS** — An Introduction to Indigenous Australia. Essential foundational knowledge for all practitioners.⁵ → **[AIATSIS Publication](https://aiatsis.gov.au/publication/34972)** --- ### Gunyah Goondie + Wurley  _Fig. 8.6: "Gunyah Goondie + Wurley" is the only continental survey of Australia's First Nations architecture.⁶_ **Paul Memmott** — The only continental survey of Australia's First Nations architecture. Explores the range and complexity of Indigenous-designed structures and spaces, debunking false perceptions of early Aboriginal constructions.⁶ → **[Thames & Hudson](https://thamesandhudson.com.au/product/gunyah-goondie-wurley-the-aboriginal-architecture-of-australia/)** --- ## Digital Tools & Maps ### AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia Your first stop for any project. Identifies Traditional Owners and language groups across Australia.⁷ > **Note:** The AIATSIS Map requires formal permission for reproduction. View it directly on the AIATSIS website—this is consistent with the ICIP principles outlined in Chapter 4. → **[View the AIATSIS Map](https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia)** --- ### Gambay: First Languages Map  _Fig. 8.8: Gambay showcases the diversity of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages._ Interactive map showcasing the diversity of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. → **[Gambay](https://gambay.com.au/)** --- ### Atlas of Living Australia (ALA)  _Fig. 8.9: The Atlas of Living Australia provides biodiversity data essential for understanding project site ecology._ Australia's national biodiversity database. An open-access, collaborative platform for Australian plants, animals, and fungi. → **[Atlas of Living Australia](https://www.ala.org.au/)** --- ### CSIRO Indigenous Projects Map  _Fig. 8.10: The CSIRO Indigenous Projects Map documents Indigenous ecological knowledge, including seasonal calendars._ Interactive map documenting Indigenous ecological knowledge, particularly seasonal calendars from Aboriginal communities. → **[CSIRO Indigenous Projects](https://www.csiro.au/en/research/indigenous-science/indigenous-projects-map)** --- ### Yalinguth  _Fig. 8.11: Yalinguth shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, songs, and sounds in Melbourne._ Award-winning audio app and walking tour sharing stories, songs, and sounds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Melbourne. The word 'Yalinguth' means 'yesterday' in Woi Wurrung language, reflecting the philosophy: "we need to go back, to go forwards." → **[Yalinguth](https://yalinguth.com.au/)** --- ### Three-Category Approach Workbook  _Fig. 8.12: The Three-Category Approach Workbook provides practical guidance for applying Indigenous knowledge to land management._ Practical tool from the CAUL Hub for applying Indigenous knowledge to land management and urban design. → **[Workbook PDF](https://nespurban.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Three-Category-Approach-workbook-fillable.pdf)** --- ## Key Organisations ### Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria (IADV)  _Fig. 8.13: IADV supports Indigenous architects and showcases Indigenous knowledge systems in built environment practice.⁸_ Founded by **Jefa Greenaway and Rueben Berg**. Supports Indigenous architects and showcases Indigenous knowledge systems.⁸ → **[IADV](https://iadv.com.au/)** --- ### Supply Nation  _Fig. 8.14: Supply Nation provides a directory of verified Indigenous businesses for procurement.⁹_ Directory of Indigenous businesses including architects, designers, and consultants. Essential for Indigenous procurement.⁹ → **[Supply Nation](https://supplynation.org.au/)** --- ### Kinaway Chamber of Commerce  _Fig. 8.15: Kinaway is the Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce._ The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, supporting Indigenous businesses in Victoria. → **[Kinaway](https://www.kinaway.com.au/)** --- ### Koorie Heritage Trust  _Fig. 8.16: The Koorie Heritage Trust offers cultural education led by Aboriginal people._ Key cultural hub in Melbourne offering public programs and cultural education led by Aboriginal people. → **[Koorie Heritage Trust](https://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/)** --- ### Lowitja Institute  _Fig. 8.17: The Lowitja Institute provides resources for ethical, community-led research._ National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. Provides guides and resources for ethical, community-led research. → **[Lowitja Institute](https://www.lowitja.org.au)** --- ### Balarinji  _Fig. 8.18: Balarinji is Australia's leading Indigenous design studio._ Australia's leading Indigenous design studio. Award-winning graphic design campaigns, cultural design frameworks, and public art services. → **[Balarinji](https://balarinji.com.au/)** --- ## Video Resources ### Not an Expert | Danièle Hromek, Francoise Lane and Sarah Lynn Rees  _Fig. 8.19: "Not an Expert" features discussion about Cultural Authority and collaboration in architecture._ Lively discussion about Cultural Authority and collaboration, convened by Sarah Lynn Rees as part of the Asia Pacific Architecture Festival. → **[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt1zAIxPbg0)** --- ### Loving Country (Short Film)  _Fig. 8.20: "Loving Country" explores connection to Country._ Short film based on the book by Bruce Pascoe & Vicky Shukuroglou. → **[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfWomOosCFg)** --- ### Wilya Janta: The story of how it all began  _Fig. 8.21: "Wilya Janta" tells the story of climate-ready and culturally appropriate remote housing._ Three-part video series about climate-ready and culturally appropriate remote housing, in Pintupi-Luritja with English subtitles. → **[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF8bnGGNs2Q)** --- ## Design Translation Framework One of the hardest parts of Country-centred design is translating abstract cultural values into concrete spatial decisions. This framework provides worked examples. ### How to Use This Framework 1. **Identify the cultural value** from your engagement with Traditional Owners 2. **Understand the underlying principle** — what does this value mean in practice? 3. **Explore spatial implications** — how might this translate to design? 4. **Test with community** — validate your interpretation through ongoing engagement ### Worked Examples | Cultural Value | Design Translation | | ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Respect for Country's agency** | Design allows natural processes (flooding, fire, seasonal change); buildings respond to rather than dominate landscape; viewing platforms create connection without interference | | **Connection to waterways** | Site planning prioritises water visibility; blue-green infrastructure celebrates rather than hides water; design creates gathering spaces at water's edge | | **Caring for Country** | Native planting palettes; habitat corridors through sites; permeable surfaces; stormwater as design feature not problem to solve | | **Intergenerational knowledge** | Spaces for teaching and storytelling; designs that accommodate both large gatherings and intimate conversations; child-friendly spaces adjacent to Elder spaces | | **Welcoming and gathering** | Entry sequences that welcome visitors to Country; flexible gathering spaces; clear sightlines between activity areas; shelter from weather | | **Seasonal awareness** | Designs that respond to seasonal change; spaces oriented to capture seasonal sun/shade; planting that marks seasonal transitions; outdoor rooms for different seasons | | **Material connection to Country** | Local materials where appropriate and culturally approved; colour palettes derived from Country; textures reflecting local geology or vegetation | | **Wayfinding through Country** | Indigenous place names used with permission; directional design toward significant landscape features; landmarks visible from key locations | | **Cultural safety** | Spaces for cultural practice with appropriate privacy; flexibility for ceremony; acoustic separation where needed; storage for cultural items | | **Health and healing** | Connection to sky, earth, and water; natural ventilation and light; spaces for quiet reflection; integration with surrounding Country | ### Design Principles by Theme **Caring for Country** — Minimise site disturbance. Design for ecological benefit, not just minimal harm. Support habitat connectivity. Plan for long-term landscape health. **Enabling Cultural Practice** — Provide flexible spaces that can accommodate ceremony. Include outdoor gathering spaces. Design for acoustic privacy where needed. Allow for food preparation and sharing. **Expressing Cultural Identity** — Work with Indigenous artists and designers (with ICIP protocols). Consider narrative through sequence and journey. Material and colour selections should emerge from engagement. Avoid superficial application of "Indigenous style." **Creating Gathering Spaces** — Centre gathering as a design driver. Design for multiple scales of gathering. Consider sight lines and connection between spaces. Plan for both formal and informal gathering. ### Material and Colour Considerations Colours and materials should emerge from engagement with Traditional Owners and connection to specific Country. Consider **landscape observation** (what colours dominate this Country across seasons), **geological context** (what local stone, earth, or clay exists), **vegetation patterns** (what endemic species provide colour cues), **cultural significance** (are there colours with particular meaning), and **contemporary expression** (how do Traditional Owners want their Country represented today). **Note:** Never assume colour or material choices based on generic "Indigenous" references. Always work directly with Traditional Owners of the specific Country. --- ## References ¹ Gammage, B. (2011). _The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia_. Allen & Unwin. ² Pascoe, B. (2014). _Dark Emu: Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?_ Magabala Books. ³ Smith, L.T. (2021). _Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples_ (3rd ed.). Zed Books. ⁴ Wilson, S. (2008). _Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods_. Fernwood Publishing. ⁵ AIATSIS. (2018). _The Little Red, Yellow, Black Book_ (4th ed.). Aboriginal Studies Press. ⁶ Memmott, P. (2007). _Gunyah, Goondie + Wurley: The Aboriginal Architecture of Australia_. University of Queensland Press. ⁷ AIATSIS. _Map of Indigenous Australia_. [https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia](https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia) ⁸ Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria. [https://iadv.com.au/](https://iadv.com.au/) ⁹ Supply Nation. [https://supplynation.org.au/](https://supplynation.org.au/) --- ## Next Steps Continue to **Chapter 9: Precedent Projects** to see projects that demonstrate good practice in Indigenous engagement and Country-centred design.