As we reflect on 2025, we extend our deep thanks to every community, Elder, Ranger, educator and partner who has walked with us. We also acknowledge Rio Tinto, whose support has enabled Caring for Country to continue across Western Cape York this year.
Together, this work demonstrates what becomes possible when Indigenous-led systems change is supported by partners who are committed to long-term relationships, cultural authority and positive outcomes for Country and community.
Across everything we did this year, one truth held steady: when communities lead and industry, government and organisations walk alongside with care, meaningful change can be delivered at scale without losing cultural integrity.
In 2025, Caring for Country in Western Cape York continued as a flagship example of how Indigital delivers Indigenous-led systems change in partnership with community and industry.
Delivered in partnership with Rio Tinto, and working alongside communities in Mapoon, Aurukun, Weipa and Napranum, Season Two deepened what Season One began: building digital capability that belongs to community and strengthens care for Country, while creating shared value for community, environment and industry.
Caring for Country is not a one-off program. It is a scalable, place-based model that shows how cultural authority, co-design and the careful use of technology can align community, environmental and industry priorities across complex regional contexts.
VIDEO: Watch how communities are leading Caring for Country Season 2
Together, we’ve seen:
403 community members engaged across Seasons 1 and 2 - including Elders, Rangers, educators, young people and Traditional Owners.
Strong capability uplift, with a 69% increase in eDNA skills and 57% growth in LiDAR mapping, and communities now independently applying these tools.
Strong retention across remote communities, reflecting trust, relevance and a program designed with, and led by, community.
Moments That Show What’s Possible
Throughout the year, small but powerful moments across Cape York highlighted what positive, community-led collaboration can look like in practice and how this approach creates ripples of change beyond individual activities.
Celebrating Caring for Country Season Two
Communities gathered to celebrate cultural leadership and digital conservation, recognising shared achievements made possible through strong partnerships.
Aunty Vera teaching science in Wik-Mungkan
Rangers leading their own eDNA sampling
Students rebuilding Elder stories in Minecraft
Standing together to receive national recognition
Why This Work Matters
This year reinforced that Caring for Country, digital capability, environmental stewardship and regional futures are deeply interconnected, particularly in regions where mining plays a significant role. When cultural authority leads and industry partners commit to walking alongside communities, long-standing tensions give way to community-led opportunities.
Across Cape York, technology continued to act as a supporting tool, strengthening identity, supporting environmental care and building capability through eDNA, LiDAR and digital storytelling, all grounded in cultural context. For the mining sector, this approach supports responsible stewardship, stronger relationships with Traditional Owners and long-term regional resilience. For communities, it strengthens self-determination, capability and care for Country on their own terms.
“This program has shown that when we walk together, we can bring old knowledge and new tools together in the right way, to look after Country and to give our young ones something to be proud of.” Aunty Andrewena Diane Nichols Pitt
IMAGE: Indigital's Caring for Country lead Lindsay Davies sitting with Aunty Di during our Masterclass workshops on Country in Mapoon.
Impact Beyond the Cape
While work on Country remains our heartbeat, the learnings from Caring for Country inform Indigital’s work across multiple sectors and partnerships, nationally and internationally. By holding cultural authority constant and adapting delivery to place, Indigital supports partners to work differently (and better) with community.
IMAGE: Indigital's CEO Mikaela Jade and Social Reciprocity lead Peta-Anne Toohey sharing the importance of community-led work to the audience in Costa Rica.
CRUSA Foundation, Costa Rica Sharing how culture-first, community-led approaches create smarter, more sustainable outcomes than technology-led solutions. Read more.
International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 Indigital Founder and CEO Mikaela Jade contributed to conversations on Listening to Sky Country and ethical innovation through the Australian Space Agency’s First Nations Advisory. Read more.
United Nations, New York Our Caring for Country Coordinator Lindsay Davies contributed to global dialogue on Indigenous data sovereignty and Country-led conservation. Read more.
AusIMM Life of Mine Conference, Meanjin Indigital invited the mining sector to imagine a restorative future grounded in cultural authority, long-term relationships and Country-led decision-making. Read more.
SXSW Sydney 2025 Peta- Anne Toohey shared how Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Free, Prior and Informed Consent and social reciprocity can guide responsible use of AI and emerging technologies. Read more.
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Indigital Founder and CEO Mikaela Jade shared insights with ATSE staff on Indigenous ways of knowing, the role of relationships in knowledge systems, and the practical application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent in the governance of data and emerging technologies. Read more.
Collective Impact
Our work this year reflects a shared effort, shaped by communities, partners and our team working together toward common goals. Our strength comes from the ecosystem we walk with, communities, Elders, schools, industry partners, scientists, technologists and organisations, all contributing to meaningful, measurable outcomes grounded in cultural legitimacy and shared accountability.
To everyone who has walked with us this year, thank you for your trust, generosity and care. And to our incredible Indigital team, thank you for the courage, creativity and deep respect you bring to this work every day.
As we prepare to take Indigital Leave at the end of the year, we pause to rest, reflect and reconnect, recognising that rest is not time away from the work, but an essential part of sustaining it. Our office is now closed for the holiday season from Monday 22 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. We’ll respond as soon as possible once we return.
We cannot do this work alone, nor should we. Caring for Country, strengthening capability and creating shared futures requires all of us walking together with openness, humility and purpose.
Here’s to 2026.
