Resources

Resources to Download:

Indigenous mapping icons

In 2019, Winyama, in partnership with Google, developed a set of icons to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities map cultural and natural resources using Google's mapping tools (i.e. Google Earth, Google My Maps), as well as with other applications that accept custom icons.

Throughout history, icons have been created to help tell stories from Dreamtime. They were painted on cave walls, carved into timber, on desert floors, and on bodies. Communities across Australia continue to use traditional storytelling as a way to map Australia’s entire landmass, water resources, and sea Country.

These icons were developed by Dennis Golding, a Freelance Designer with Google’s Creative Lab and a descendant of the Kamilaroi/Gamillaraay people from the North West of New South Wales to represent a broad range of Indigenous experiences like subsistence harvesting, cultural and sacred sites.


IMW On Demand calendar

IMW On Demand is an online learning platform created by Winyama that offers free geospatial training for Indigenous Australians and those that work for Indigenous organisations. With a variety of training offerings, covering mapping software, theory, and best practices, learners are equipped with the tools to manage their own spatial projects and associated digital information.

Download the calendar to view IMW On Demand term dates, including cut-off dates for course enrolments.

To apply for IMW On Demand, click here.


Resources to Listen:

The Big Mob, STEM it up Project

Indigenous representation in the technology sector is few and far between. Realising this, Associate Professor, Marnee Shay and Quandamooka postdoctoral fellow, Ren Perkins from the University of Queensland launched a podcast series named “The Big Mob, STEM it up Project” which platforms Indigenous voices in STEM. The podcast series is part of a wider research project exploring the effectiveness of initiatives that support the retention and progression of underrepresented groups in STEM careers. The episodes below feature some of Winyama’s staff, check us out below!

Episode 12: Andrew Dowding, Winyama Managing Director

  • Join Ren Perkins in Episode 12 as they engage in a captivating interview with Andrew, diving into his education journey, sources of inspiration, barriers, and the impact culture has had in his approach as the Managing Director of an Indigenous tech company.

Episode 14: Grady Toomath, IT Consultant - Drone Specialisation

  • Grady Toomath is an IT Consultant and Chief Drone Pilot at Winyama. In Episode 14, Big Mob, Stem it up Project host Ren Perkins explores the multifaceted responsibilities of Grady’s role, unravelling his unwavering passion for STEM. Grady reflects on the pivotal role learning the fundamentals of physics, engineering, and maths has played in shaping his outlook on life and career, the influence of his role models, the intersection of science and culture, and more.

Location Matters

Location Matters is a podcast published by NGIS Australia, a Geospatial Consultancy and long-standing industry partner of Winyama. The series is devoted to discussing all things data, mapping software, industry trends and best practices. The following episodes highlight the expertise and experiences of our Winyama staff.

Episode 45: Communicating Indigenous culture and heritage through maps

  • When it comes to communicating the stories, culture, and heritage of Indigenous communities, maps are an incredibly effective tool. The deep connection Indigenous people have to lands and waters that they have inhabited for thousands of years means that there is an intrinsic connection to place. Therefore, maps are a natural fit for telling Indigenous stories, not only in Australia but around the world.

    Hear from Winyama’s Managing Director, Andrew Dowding and former Winyama GIS Analyst, Merindah Bairnsfather-Scott as they discuss how maps can be used to communicate Indigenous knowledge and stories.

Episode 65: What is First Nations Earth Observation?

  • On the latest season of Location Matters Managing Director of Winyama, Andrew Dowding discusses alongside Data Scientist from NGIS Australia, Yvonne Fong, the potential of Earth Observation (EO) and First Nations Earth Observation (FNEO).

Episode 67: Empowering women to enter tech careers

  • Podcast host Claire Wilson is joined by three talented women in tech; Kate Kirwin, Founder of SheCodes, Daphne Yu Graduate Developer at NGIS Australia and our very own Khia Emslie-O’Brien, Geospatial Analyst at Winyama. Their discussion centres around why getting women into tech roles is so important, opportunities for women to enter tech through programs like SheCodes, and each woman’s journey which led them towards careers in the STEM sectors.

Episode 68: Drone Mapping with Karen Joyce

  • Drone mapping provides a different perspective to traditional methods of surveying land which have previously been done on foot or with a vehicle. Join Karen Joyce, (She Maps Founder) alongside IT Consultant from Winyama, Tim Cable and former Winyama GIS Analyst, Marty Rocks as they discuss use cases for drones across Indigenous land management.

Resources to Read:

The Firelight Group

The Firelight Group is an international partner of Winyama and the largest Indigenous-owned consulting group working with Indigenous Nations across Turtle Island, Canada. Over the years they have produced a large library of publications covering research, impact/benefit negotiations for Indigenous communities, ecology, mapping and more.


Curtin University

In 2023, Curtin University signed an MoU with Winyama which will focus on First Nations centred education and research opportunities. The agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) realises the shared vision of creating education pathways that honour and elevate First Nation knowledges and two-way methods of teaching and learning. Discover Curtin’s latest research outcomes.


Resources to Watch:

Winyama uses AI and ML to recognise flora and fauna for the Indigenous Rangers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are powerful tools that can amplify on Country work. Discover how we at Winyama are using this technology to classify flora and fauna, saving rangers time so they can do more work in the field.