#WhyIMap: My journey through tech, from Intern to Trainer

Khia Emslie-O'Brien is a GIS Analyst Graduate at Winyama. Khia began her journey working at Winyama in July 2021. Khia was the first of our employees to triumphantly complete and graduate from our Internship program. Since graduating from our program, Khia has continued to flourish in the Indigenous tech sector, gaining experience as an IMW teaching assistant and now attending this year's National IMW in Narrm as a trainer. 

Read Khia’s staff bio here.

We sat down with Khia to discuss her Indigenous mapping journey and understand her thoughts around the Indigenous Mapping Workshop since attending her first IMW Workshop in 2022.

Can you tell me about some of the work that you do?

I’m currently supporting my client by using Skyline’s TerraExplorer program to visualise Aboriginal archeological and ethnographic places in 3D map presentations, under the guidance of Andrew (Winyama’s Managing Director). I’m also continuing to develop my technical skills to better deliver digital solutions. Along with supporting my clients, I get to assist in other mapping projects including the Pilbara Cultural Land Management Project.

How did you first hear about Indigenous Mapping Workshop Australia?

I first heard about the Indigenous Mapping Workshop when I was applying for my internship at Winyama. I learned that the Indigenous Mapping Workshop is available to help the ongoing journey of ensuring our communities can safeguard their ancestral knowledge.

What was your personal experience at IMW?

My personal experience at IMW was when I first traveled to Broome for the Kimberley Land Council’s Fire Forum with some of the Winyama team in early 2022. It was here that I got to experience being a teaching assistant in a room full of incredible Indigenous women rangers who spend their time working on Country. It was such an interesting cross-section of sharing ecological knowledge and technology. It was a lot of fun to introduce QGIS, take a look at NAFI fire scar data in the Shire of Broome area, and see all the women learning these digital tools that they get to take away and implement into their work. 

What’s your vision for the IMW?

My vision for the future of Indigenous Mapping Workshops is that they continue to grow each year. I hope more and more people attend to learn and share because this is where the magic happens. My vision for IMW also extends into a reality where Indigenous peoples are at the forefront of land management. It is important for traditional ecological and cultural knowledge to be implemented in decision-making and be a strong influence on the future of the environment.

Why do you believe the Indigenous Mapping Workshop is such a great knowledge-sharing opportunity?

I believe that the Indigenous Mapping Workshop is a great opportunity for our community to come together to learn and network. It also provides a great knowledge-sharing opportunity because the room can be full of many people from different backgrounds, each with their own connection to the country, their own experiences, and their own ideas.

What would you say to someone who is considering attending the IMW workshop but might be letting their skill level get in the way? 

It’s not a prerequisite to have any background knowledge in using mapping technology to attend the IMW and to add to that, the workshops have been designed to be completely introductory. I’d say have a go and if you are feeling stuck, we have people in the workshop who are there to give you a helping hand. By coming along and giving it a go you are already beneficial to the space with your own connection to the Country and this is so empowering. 

Do you have a similar story to Khia? Or would you like to know more about how you can get involved in the Indigenous Mapping Workshop? Contact Us!