Thread by @Science_Academy

NOW LIVE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were some of the world's first astronomers.

Explore the sky and the stars with us, @raejohnston, @AstroKirsten and Djarra Delaney. #NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOC2020 #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe science.org.au/news-and-event…

Tonight's host is @raejohnston, the science & technology editor at @NITV.

Our two #NAIDOC2020 events are hosted as part of our reconciliation action plan, which was launched last year. Read about our progress towards reconciliation: science.org.au/supporting-sci…

.@AstroKirsten is an astronomer and science communicator currently working on her PhD in astrophysics at @UNSW.

She says even before she went to primary school, she wanted to learn.

Djarra Delaney worked as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Coordinator at the @BOM_au.

He is currently pursuing a PhD at @unimelb looking at how climate adaptation is an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to decolonise environmental discourse.

"Indigenous knowledge is going through a real renaissance at the moment, I think," says Djarra.

He says it is a "way of knowing" that acknowledges the connections between things. Both he & @AstroKirsten describe it as a "holistic view" of the world. #NAIDOC2020

How is Indigenous astronomy different to western astronomy?

@AstroKirsten says Indigenous astronomy looks beyond the stars, also at the dark spaces in between. She gives the example of the 'Emu in the Sky'. astrotourismwa.com.au/emu-in-the-sky

"Indigenous science isn't respected ... and I really don't understand why. It's all science!" says @AstroKirsten.
@raejohnston & Djarra Delaney agree.

This knowledge has been built over more than 60,000 years. #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

"Knowledge has been lost," says Djarra Delaney.

Djarra talks about the loss of language, but he also says when the environment changes, "that's knowledge loss too."

But he says there are many inspiring projects to revitalise this "sleeping knowledge." #NAIDOC2020

Want to see the night sky through the eyes of Indigenous astronomy?

@AstroKirsten recommends @StellariumDev. stellarium.org #NAIDOC2020

What advice do our speakers have for non-Indigenous scientists wanting to support Indigenous knowledge?

"Amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples," says @AstroKirsten.

"Get involved. Talk to your community. Know whose Country you're on," says Djarra Delaney. #NAIDOC2020

"I think you just have to be open to it," says @AstroKirsten about learning more Indigenous knowledge.

There are many resources if you go looking. For astronomy, she recommends this website on Australian Indigenous Astronomy: aboriginalastronomy.com.au

Thank you @raejohnston, @AstroKirsten and Djarra Delaney for an informative and inspiring event. #NAIDOC2020 #NAIDOCWeek

Want more? A recording of our Monday's event on 'Land, water and fire: the science of a continuous culture' featuring @bradmoggo, @theotheroad and Zena Cumpston is available on our website. science.org.au/news-and-event…

Recordings of both #NAIDOC2020 events will remain accessible on the events page on our website under 'past events'.

Thank you for listening and enjoy the rest of your #NAIDOCWeek. science.org.au/news-and-event…