TKRP – Traditional Knowledge Recording Pathway

Balkanu recognise the cultural significance of Indigenous tradition knowledge and cultural practices and the need for Indigenous people to preserve their heritage in language, stories, dance, music, sacred places and artefacts in their country, the values of Indigenous traditions and practices.

Our project managers facilitate the participation of Traditional Elders and their communities with the implementation of training and recording of traditional protocols within each clan group; developed database in the recording, transcribing and translating of traditional knowledge practices and also developed the protocol for data sharing.

With many remote communities facing difficulties engaging their young people in constructive activities, the strength of TKRP projects  is that it brings the generations together in a way that values the technical skills of the young, and the experience of the old.  Elders and young people were brought together and Dreamtime stories were told about places of cultural significance, particular types of native vegetation, waterholes, waterways, hill formations, caves,  traditional spiritual beings of different areas, and traditional practices and knowledge recorded using video, audio and GPS technology to produce short films.

TKRP were utilised in other projects that can assist Traditional Owner groups manage natural and cultural resources on their traditional country. Some examples are the  Turtle and Dugong project, Feral Pigs and Bush Tucker projects,  Land and Sea Management Alliance projects that were supported by NAILSMA, Savanna Burning practices, environmental and biodiversity projects.