The Connecting Cultures project comprises a suite of Indigenous-led virtual simulations, immersive learning experiences, e-learning modules, educational resources, facilitator guides and supporting materials designed to strengthen culturally responsive practice within health, social work, human services, education and related professions. 

The project has been developed through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community engagement, Elders guidance, lived experience expertise and Indigenous governance processes. 

The project recognises that the simulations, scenarios, stories, cultural teachings, visual materials, language, community experiences, professional practice examples and educational content may contain Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and therefore require ongoing cultural governance and protection. 

This project operates in accordance with: 

• AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (2020)  

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)  

• Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles  

• CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance  

• Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles  

• True Tracks® Principles (Janke)  

• Closing the Gap Priority Reforms relating to shared decision making and Indigenous data sovereignty.  

Indigenous Governance Group 

The project is governed through an Indigenous Governance Group comprising: 

• Aboriginal Elders 

•  Torres Strait Islander representative 

• Cultural Advisors  

• Indigenous researchers  

• Indigenous project team members  

• Community representatives  

• Participating knowledge holders  

• International advice 

Responsibilities include: 

• Cultural oversight  

• Approval of content development  

• Guidance regarding cultural safety  

• Approval of dissemination activities  

• Approval of future adaptations  

• Review of educational resources  

• Review of evaluation findings  

• Consideration of requests for secondary use  

• Decisions regarding restricted cultural content  

No significant decisions relating to Indigenous knowledge may be made without Indigenous governance approval.

The project recognises that: 

• Stories remain the property of the individuals, families and communities from whom they originate.  

• Cultural teachings remain the property of the relevant Peoples, Nations, communities and knowledge holders.  

• Community-derived recommendations remain community intellectual property.  

• Indigenous perspectives incorporated into simulations remain connected to the Communities and contributors who provided them.  

• Federation University, MAXART , Wordology does not own Indigenous knowledges shared through this project.  

Federation University acts as custodian of project materials rather than owner of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

The following classification system applies:

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The project recognises that simulations may contain: 

• Cultural scenarios  

• Community narratives  

• Indigenous communication practices  

• Cultural safety teachings  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experiences  

• Examples of racism and discrimination  

• Place-based cultural knowledge  

• Indigenous models of practice  

These materials remain subject to ongoing cultural authority. 

Participation in development activities does not automatically grant permission for future adaptation, commercialisation, AI training, machine learning use, or redistribution. 

Separate approval must be obtained for each substantially new use. 

Project materials, including simulations, transcripts, voice recordings, scripts, videos, cultural narratives and educational content: 

• Must not be used for AI training purposes.  

• Must not be incorporated into large language models.  

• Must not be used to generate synthetic Indigenous content.  

• Must not be scraped, harvested or reproduced by artificial intelligence systems.  

• Must not be incorporated into automated cultural competency tools without Indigenous governance approval.  

Any future AI-related use requires separate negotiation and approval through Indigenous governance processes. 

The following materials are recognised as Indigenous Cultural Assets: 

• Simulation scripts  

• Branching scenarios  

• E-learning content  

• Learning activities  

• Reflection exercises  

• Voice recordings  

• Videos  

• Artwork  

• Cultural narratives  

• Educational frameworks  

• Indigenous pedagogical approaches  

• Evaluation findings  

• Facilitator guides  

• Student resources  

These materials remain subject to Indigenous governance regardless of format. 

Any derivative output developed from project materials including: 

• Additional simulations  

• E-learning modules  

• Toolkits  

• Curriculum resources  

• Educational frameworks  

• Translations  

• Podcasts  

• Videos  

• Digital applications  

• Virtual reality products  

• Future technologies  

remain subject to the same cultural authority and governance requirements as the original material.  

No commercialisation may occur without Indigenous governance approval. 

This includes: 

• Sale of simulations  

• Subscription access  

• Licensing arrangements  

• Consultancy products  

• Training packages  

• Educational platforms  

• Corporate training  

• International distribution  

• Technology integration  

Where revenue is generated, benefit-sharing arrangements must be negotiated with relevant Indigenous contributors and governance representatives before commercial activity commences.

All reasonable efforts will be made to acknowledge: 

• Participating Nations  

• Elders  

• Knowledge holders  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributors  

• Artists  

• Community partners  

• Original research team 

Attribution will occur in accordance with contributor preferences and cultural protocols. 

The following materials require Indigenous review before release to public: 

• Simulation content  

• E-learning modules  

• Publications  

• Presentations  

• Conference materials  

• Reports  

• Videos  

• Marketing materials  

• Educational resources  

The Indigenous Governance Group retains authority to request amendments or withhold approval where concerns regarding cultural safety, cultural integrity, representation or ICIP remain unresolved.  

Participating communities and contributors have the right to receive: 

• Copies of simulation resources  

• Educational materials  

• Reports  

• Videos  

• Learning resources  

• Evaluation findings  

• Visual resources  

in culturally appropriate and accessible formats. 

Where requested, materials may be transferred to community-controlled repositories, archives or knowledge-keeping systems.  

Cultural authority does not expire at the conclusion of the project. 

Permission granted during development of the simulations and e-learning modules does not constitute ongoing permission for future uses. 

Any new use beyond the original scope requires renewed cultural consultation and approval.