A new digital mentoring project developed by the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) was launched by the Hon. Bess Price, Minister for Local Government and Community Service in Arlparra on 15 April.
Committed to addressing digital exclusion experienced by many Indigenous Australians in remote communities, the inDigiMOB program will play a key role in bridging the digital divide. It will establish a network of Indigenous mentors who provide peer-to-peer training and support in digital literacy, cyber safety and Internet access in response to local and immediate needs.
General Manager of IRCA Daniel Featherstone said, “Over the next three years inDigiMOB will help address barriers to the take up and use of digital technology in a number of Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. With support from local community organisations we will work to ensure remote Indigenous people are not left behind.”
Mr Featherstone added, “Where there is affordable and appropriate access, many Indigenous Australians in remote communities are rapid adopters of new digital technology. However, there are still too many people who lack access and capabilities to fully embrace the social, economic and cultural possibilities of being connected. inDigiMOB will address this and in doing so, create meaningful jobs.
IRCA will pilot inDigiMOB in Arlparra and several Alice Springs Town Camps with support from delivery partners Batchelor Institute and Tangentyere Council respectively.
inDigiMOB is funded by Telstra.
Media contacts
IRCA: Daniel Featherstone, General Manager
Phone: 08 8952 6465 Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
About IRCA
IRCA is the peak body that represents and advocates for the media and communications interests of remote and very remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. IRCA promotes the important role played by remote Indigenous media in maintaining language and culture and providing tools for self-representation and community development. IRCA supports remote Indigenous media organisations (RIMOs) that have played a key role in the development of the remote media and communications industry in Australia.
Telstra’s vision for Reconciliation
Telstra’s purpose is ‘to create a brilliant connected future for everyone’. Our vision for reconciliation is to see our purpose come to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through connection we can all create social, economic and cultural change and achieve a brilliant connected future for Australia.