The Queensland government has announced funding for a range of programs to bridge the digital gap impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders in regional and remote communities.
Funded through the State Library, $9 million will support programs designed to improve the digital capability of 26 Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs).
New IKCs will be delivered for Doomadgee, Kowanyama, and Mornington Island, whilst regional councils in Cairns, Townsville, Paroo, and Mareeba will be funded to deliver Deadly Digital Communities digital literacy programs.
Growing Indigenous Knowledge Centres program will support 16 First Nations councils' remote communities, with nearly $3.5 million over two years to help acquire IT equipment and employ additional staff to deliver "place-based digital technology programs" through their IKCs.
For communities that don't currently have IKCs, $320,000 will be allocated over two years each to Kowanyama, Doomadgee, and Mornington Island councils to help establish them.
The government said they will invest $180,000 to support the set-up of the Doomadgee and Kowanyama IKCs, refurbishment of the IKC on Mabuiag Island in the Torres Strait, and the re-establishment of the Wujal Wujal IKC in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said IKCs are an "important place" for community members to come together and share creative ideas and stories as well as preserving and maintaining history, culture, and language.
"In many communities, the IKC offers access to vital digital services and opportunities that are taken for granted by people living in larger centres," she said.
"The Queensland Government is investing to boost the digital capability of IKCs through the State Library of Queensland's Digital Inclusion program, to help bridge the digital divide experienced by people living in some of Queensland's most remote communities."
Elsewhere, the Deadly Digital Communities program will co-design digital literacy activities with councils in Cairns, Townsville, Paroo, and Mareeba. The four councils will share in a $180,000 worth of funding to help o boost digital capability among Indigenous residents.
It will support the state library's engagement of Regional Digital Development Officers in regional centres.
State Librarian and chief executive Vicki McDonald said the library was committed to "closing the digital divide" to ensure everyone in the state can "enjoy the benefits of the digital economy".
"State Library's digital program offers a range of initiatives that empower the community to share their culture, truth, and stories through digital technology including the use of augmented reality, coding and digital storytelling," Ms McDonald said.
"We are proud to work with local councils to support IKCs to be the digital hub of their community and enable First Nations people to participate in digital programs that strengthen social connection, enable lifelong learning, and nurture memory keeping in remote communities."
