INAUGURAL INDIGENOUS DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS SHOWCASE INDIGENOUS INNOVATION IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY
Indigenous app developers, digital designers, entrepreneurs, online educators and virtual reality artists are just some of the nominees selected as finalists for the inaugural Indigenous Digital Excellence (IDX) Awards taking place in Sydney on 29 September 2017.
The IDX Awards are the centrepiece of the IDX initiative, a $5 million partnership between the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) and Telstra Foundation, which focuses on building digital skills, entrepreneurship and opportunities for Indigenous peoples and communities.
Alison Page, Executive Chair of NCIE, says that the digital economy has the potential to be a circuit breaker for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
“The IDX Awards are about inspiring the next generation of Indigenous digital changemakers. This is vital because in the fast-changing global economy, the opportunities and jobs of the future will increasingly require digital skills,” she said.
The IDX Awards include seven categories – Learnings and Education, Culture and Country, Pathways and Employment, Wellbeing, Entrepreneurship, Digital Elder of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year – which align to the focus areas of the IDX Initiative’s Roadmap For Building Indigenous Digital Excellence: Looking to 2030 – Australia’s first strategy for driving Indigenous digital excellence and participation.
“Ranging from the founder of Australia’s first Indigenous business accelerator, to an Elder who uses 3D printers to create cultural artefacts, and Darwin’s most popular Airbnb host – the talent and ambition of the IDX Awards finalists is truly inspiring,” Ms Page continued.
“The finalists, and all 76 IDX Award nominees from across Australia, are continuing a tradition of innovation that has been practised by Indigenous communities in Australia for more than 65,000 years. Our Indigenous innovators are combining the sophistication of traditional knowledge with 21st century technology to create opportunities for improving the employment, wellbeing, health, education, cultural and environmental outcomes for all our people and their communities.”
Jackie Coates, Head of the Telstra Foundation said she was thrilled to support the celebration of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship.
“What happens when digital technology is embraced by the world’s oldest living continuous culture? We believe the answer is Indigenous Digital Excellence (IDX) – and that’s exactly what the IDX Awards are about celebrating,” Ms Coates.
“IDX is an Indigenous-led initiative which is aims to unlock the opportunities the online world can provide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our finalists truly bring to life not only what Indigenous Digital Excellence looks like but also paint a picture of how social innovation and digital connection can transform lives and communities.”
The inaugural IDX Awards take place in Sydney on Friday, 29 September 2017. For more information on the Awards and to find out how you can support this important initiative, visit www.idxawards.org.au.