- Posted on 24 Jul 2026
- 2 minute read
Last week, UTS Business School and the Centre for Indigenous People and Work hosted our annual NAIDOC Oration, Indigenous Data Sovereignty: All In for the Stewardship of Cultural Knowledge, featuring Professor Kirsten Thorpe.
In her Oration, Kirsten challenged the audience to see data as more than records and statistics, highlighting its deep connections to people, community and Country.
Drawing on her work as an archivist and researcher, she emphasised the importance of Indigenous governance over cultural knowledge and data throughout its lifecycle. She also called for greater investment in Indigenous-controlled data infrastructure and capability to support self-determination, strengthen cultural knowledge, and create benefits for future generations.
Reflecting on AI as a new frontier for the extraction of Indigenous knowledge without consent, Kirsten left the audience with a powerful reminder that care and reciprocity are essential to making “knowledge liberating to all, not just some.”
The conversation highlighted the importance of ensuring cultural knowledge is managed in ways that respect cultural protocols, uphold community authority, and strengthen Indigenous control over data and storytelling.
Recording: 2026 Annual NAIDOC Oration
Watch the video of Kirsten's speech and the panel discussion.
Kirsten joined Professor Nareen Young, Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership & Engagement) UTS Business School, Professor Indigenous Policy, Jumbunna Institute and Director CIPW; and Joshua Gilbert, Assistant Director of CIPW, for a panel discussion exploring how organisations and collecting institutions can better support Indigenous communities to respond to, correct and reclaim records.