Two Indigenous James Cook University students have taken part in an international gathering focused on Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity and caring for Country.
Tara Ganley and Hannah Holbrook attended the 19th International Society of Ethnobiology Congress in Cairns with support from the TNQ Drought Hub's Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise Program.
The support also enabled the pair to take part in activities connected to the congress, including a Cultural Burn Field Trip.
Held in Australia for the first time, the congress brought together Indigenous Elders and Custodians, ethnobotanists, scientists, academics and practitioners from around the world.
Under the theme Indigenous and Local Knowledge Connections: Honouring Heritage and Innovation, the event focused on relationships between people and the natural world, while creating space for different knowledge systems and world views to come together.
The program explored how Indigenous knowledge can contribute to climate resilience, food security, biodiversity conservation and sustainable futures, with Indigenous ethnobotanist Gerry Turpin chairing the congress.
Gimuy-based Ms Ganley, who is studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management at JCU, used the congress to learn from people working in different environments and communities around the world.
She said hearing how others had responded to challenges was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
"Learning about ethnobiology and meeting people from all over the world was one of the most valuable parts of the ISE Conference for me," Ms Ganley said.
"Hearing about the challenges other delegates had faced and how they had adapted was both motivating and inspiring."
Ms Holbrook also attended the congress and described the experience as "profound and transformative".
Before the main sessions, Ms Holbrook joined a Cultural Burn Field Trip led by Tagalaka man Victor Steffensen at Bare Hill.
The field trip focused on traditional fire management and the way soil moisture, plant stages and different types of Country can inform burning practices.
Ms Holbrook said the experience showed the detail involved in reading Country and making decisions about fire.
"Victor intricately explained the connection between Country and burning, from reading the subtle cues of soil moisture and plant stage to understanding the distinct burning needs of Ironbark Country compared to Paperbark," she said.
The field trip and three days of presentations also led Ms Holbrook to reflect on the relationship between Indigenous knowledge and Western science.
Ms Holbrook said the sessions reinforced the importance of Indigenous knowledge in environmental and botanical work.
"Across every session, a crucial reality became clear: Indigenous knowledge systems are the bedrock of true botanical and medicinal discovery, and caring for Country is essential for a sustainable future that will support generations to come," she said.
The congress provided the students with opportunities to connect with Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers and practitioners while learning about approaches to biodiversity, culture, climate resilience and caring for Country.
Their participation also highlighted the role of programs such as SATSIE in supporting Indigenous students to access research, learning and cultural knowledge-sharing opportunities.
