Examination of MODIS Fire scar mapping for Kuku Thaypan country for the last ten years confirms Elders concerns about the regularity and extent of late season wildfire in their country. The first time in ten years that country is burnt in April within the Kuku Thaypan Clan Estate as a result of the TKRP Kuku-Thaypan Fire Management Research Project

The project is demonstrating a culturally appropriate research framework:

• Describing Indigenous created and led research methodologies
• Recording traditional fire management knowledge
• Transferring fire knowledge within and between clan groups
• Developing Indigenous led training around fire scar mapping and remote sensing
• Using GPS and GIS with Government and non-Government fire management agencies on Cape York to support Elders aspirations for appropriate burning
  
• Sharing skills and knowledge from Traditional Knowledge and Western Scientific perspectives

Peta Standley

Dr. Tommy George

Dr. Tommy George is the last fluent speaker of the Awu Laya language.  He and his brother along with Victor Steffensen co-created the methodology applied by the TKRP. 

Victor Steffensen

The TKRP KTFMRP methodology is being demonstrated through direct action on country and is co-generated by the Elders while enacting their TKRP. 

Download Kuku-Thaypan Research Protocols

PDF Version   

Please click on the "read more" link below to see graphs and maps from TKRP KTFMRP PhD "The Importance of Campfires to Effective Conservation Communication"

The research project has generated two published papers to date in the fields of human computer interaction design focused on the methodology of the project.  We presently have one in print for 3C Media a community broadcasting ejournal hosted at http://www.cbonline.org.au  Stay tuned for more published papers as they are generated and accepted by established journals.  We are presently working on the methodology and fire data results papers.  If you would like to read more about the project through our published papers please click on read more below: