Co-designing for First Nations leadership in land management: listening to stories, designing for experience, and advocating for change

Abstract

In this study, research through design (RtD) and the practices of Indigenous-led co-design provide platforms to empower active participation in designing to strengthen the recognition and respect for Indigenous leadership in contemporary land management. Initially, we describe and document the project context, the design outcomes and the co-design processes that contribute to the design outcomes for the Indigenous project ‘Healing People, Healing Country: Cultural Fire Storytelling and Education’ in the Hunter Valley in Australia. These material outcomes include templates for co-design processes, the co-design of interpretive signs, a publication and two suites of videos. Secondly, the researchers engage in a reflexive analysis of the outcomes and processes undertaken during the project. Both these research pieces aim to contribute to developing effective co-design platforms to ensure a plurality of voices in storytelling. The focus of this re-telling is to understand and share what has been learnt in this Indigenous project as a contribution to the complex work of designing meaningful ways to support Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in land-based projects situated in urban contexts.