Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge is the original Desert
Knowledge. It is central to the work of the Desert Knowledge CRC.
Desert Knowledge CRC respects the sovereignty over this knowledge
that Aboriginal people hold as a birthright. As we promote and
apply Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge to the benefit of the
community of desert peoples, we do so in such a way to show our
respect practically by:
- Fully acknowledging the holders of Aboriginal
Traditional Knowledge
- Involving them in how the Desert Knowledge CRC applies
their knowledge
- Compensating them appropriately for the use of their
knowledge
- Protecting their rights and interests.
This statement comes from the final report of the scoping
project on Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge: Desert Knowledge
for Desert People.
Operationalising Aboriginal Knowledge
Many of the most contentious terms in the area surrounding
intellectual property and categories of knowledge relate to
operationalising the ideas of local and traditional knowledge,
linking local and scientific knowledges, and defining appropriate
and ethical benefit sharing arrangements for different types of
knowledge products. The distinction between Aboriginal IP and
Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge needs to be clarified by
establishing:
- An Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge protocol (which also deals
with Local Aboriginal Knowledge) and Aboriginal Intellectual
Protocol (which also deals with Commercialisation of Aboriginal
Intellectual Protocol).
This will provide a clear guide as to when formal intellectual
property law can operate as a useful knowledge management tool and
when it is more important to fall back on ethical engagement
practice.
