Kathryn Trees

This paper describes progress on the participative development of the Ieramugadu Cultural Information System - an example of an indigenous community information system. The project is designed to develop and evaluate innovative procedures for elicitation, analysis, storage and communication of indigenous cultural heritage information. It is investigating culturally appropriate information systems design techniques; multimedia approaches; and ways to ensure protection of secret/sacred information. Effective procedures and products to facilitate the use of heritage information for education and negotiation are also being developed and evaluated. The paper summarises project progress to date and draws preliminary conclusions regarding key aspects of the research.

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) networks need to be viewed as information systems and appropriate socio-technical methodologies employed in their design and evaluation. Human factors issues are of particular importance for such systems, especially where they are used for cross-cultural communication. Culture, values and attitudes towards technology of the system users (and designers) are important factors which can be addressed through the use of a highly participatory system development methodology. Significant ethical issues arise for system developers, especially in the context of systems involving indigenous communities and the preservation of local cultures. The paper discusses these topics and summarises their relevance to a cultural heritage information system being developed with an indigenous community in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.