Exploring the intersections of Indigenous knowledge, environmental research, creative practice, and community-led stewardship.

Join an interdisciplinary panel featuring Shaq Koyok (Temuan Orang Asli, Malaysia), Dominic Guerrera (Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Italian), Sonya Rankine (Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, Ngadjuri, Wirangu), Daniel Giles (Ngintait, Ngangurukul, Yankunytjatjara), and freshwater ecologist Dr Nick Whiterod, facilitated by Kat Bell (Gudjal, Girramay – PhD candidate Adelaide University), for a thought-provoking conversation examining how Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental science, cultural practice, and creative methodologies can contribute to more holistic approaches to caring for Country and sustaining ecological futures.

Bringing together Indigenous artists, cultural practitioners, environmental researchers, and community leaders from Australia and Malaysia, this sharing circle offers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives on river health, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, cultural knowledge, and community-led action. Participants will explore how Indigenous ways of knowing and scientific research can work in dialogue, creating pathways for collaborative learning, knowledge exchange, and more culturally responsive approaches to environmental research and practice.

Designed for researchers, academics, environmental practitioners, artists & artivists, policy makers, and anyone working with Indigenous communities, the session invites deeper reflection on engagement with Indigenous communities, relational approaches to knowledge-sharing, Indigenous-led research, and the role of storytelling and creative practice in communicating environmental challenges and futures.

Moving beyond a traditional panel format, the sharing circle encourages active participation, critical dialogue, and collective reflection, creating a space where Indigenous and scientific knowledge systems can be respectfully shared, challenged, and strengthened through conversation.

An opportunity to engage with leading Indigenous artists, knowledge holders, and environmental researchers while exploring new possibilities for collaboration, research, and action in support of healthy communities, healthy rivers, and healthy Country.