National Indigenous Mapping Workshop Comes to Brisbane
Meanjin (Brisbane), 28 February 2025 – Winyama, in collaboration with the Indigenous Engagement Division of CQUniversity, is proud to announce the 5th annual National Indigenous Mapping Workshop (IMW), set to take place in Meanjin (Brisbane) from the 23-27th of June 2025.
This unique event will bring together communities from across Australia and internationally, including Indigenous knowledge holders, geospatial experts, and key stakeholders in Indigenous land management, cultural heritage preservation, and economic empowerment for Mob.
The National IMW will provide hands-on training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, remote sensing, and mapping tools, introducing new ways for Indigenous communities to harness the power of geospatial technology for self-determined decision-making.
Participants will gain practical skills while also having the opportunity to network with peers, industry professionals, and government representatives to drive meaningful change.
“The National IMW is an opportunity for Mob to come together and access training that supports their work on Country—training that is typically inaccessible. At its core, it is an effort towards closing the digital divide First Nations people have experienced for decades and ensuring our presence in the digital economy is on our own terms and in a culturally appropriate way,” said Andrew Dowding, Managing Director at Winyama.
“By partnering with CQUniversity and hosting our first National Workshop in Queensland, we are expanding opportunities for Indigenous communities across Australia to build digital skills to map, manage, and protect Country using both traditional and modern technologies.”
(Image description: A group photo from the National IMW Boorloo 2024. Peering down at the smiling faces of Winyama workshop attendees. The image has Indigenous artwork overlayed in white.)
CQUniversity’s Vice-President of Indigenous Engagement, Professor Adrian Miller also explained that as one of Australia’s largest regionally based universities with a presence across the Country, CQUniversity is committed to fostering Indigenous-led innovation and supporting pathways into technology careers.
“CQUniversity is committed to embedding First Nations perspectives and knowledge into our operations and engaging with partners across Australia and the world.
With students across the nation and partnerships with several regional and remote communities, we are determined to remove geographical boundaries when it comes to knowledge sharing, learning and innovation.
We are honoured to host this year’s IMW and look forward to making mapping technology more accessible and relevant to our region of Australia,” said Professor Miller.
The workshop will feature expert-led training sessions, case studies of Indigenous-led geospatial projects, and discussions on data governance, digital inclusion, and Indigenous mapping initiatives across Australia.
The weeklong event will be hosted at CQUniversity’s Brisbane CBD campus and will be proudly supported by CQUniversity’s Indigenous Engagement Division and BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance).
Event Details
Location: CQUniversity, Brisbane, 160 Ann Street
Date: 23–27 June 2025
Registration: winyama.com.au/upcoming-events
For media enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or further information, please contact:
Kass Boladeras (Marketing and Operations Manager, IMW Australia Program Manager)
enquiries@winyama.com.au
About Winyama
Winyama is an Indigenous-owned and majority-operated geospatial consultancy based in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia. Passionate about making a social impact, Winyama provides end-to-end geospatial solutions for those working across the Indigenous land estate while facilitating the digital engagement of First Nations people and communities.
About CQUniversity
CQUniversity is a leading Australian university, offering more than 250 education and training programs. Committed to accessibility, innovation, and community engagement, CQU is a pioneer in distance education and is dedicated to supporting Indigenous self-determination in education and research.