Indigenous Australians Embrace the Metaverse: A Cultural Embassy Emerges

The Meeting of Two Worlds

The fusion of ancient Indigenous culture and modern technology might sound like the plot of a sci-fi movie, but it’s very real with Indigenous Australians stepping into the Metaverse. Professor Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat, a cultural broker and advocate for wellbeing through traditional Indigenous practices, hit the nail on the head when she remarked, “First movers need to be there. Indigenous Australians have a culture about dreaming. So, we need to do it.”

Setting the Stage for the Future

This week, Lee-Ah Mat and her talented team, including lawyer Bibi Barba and fellow legal eagles Joni Pirovich and Angelina Gomez, kicked off a conversation via their discussion paper titled “First Nations Culture in the Metaverse.” They are seeking support to launch a pilot project with the aim to create a First Nations Cultural Embassy in this new digital universe. This sounds like something out of a futuristic novel, doesn’t it?

The Connection Between Culture and Technology

Despite initial skepticism about how an ancient culture relates to a pixelated digital world, Lee-Ah Mat clarifies that the connection is more than skin deep. “The Metaverse mirrors the earth,” she asserts, emphasizing how these two realms influence one another. Indigenous culture has always been about storytelling and connection to the land, and the Metaverse presents a new storytelling canvas — a digital realm that can preserve and explore that connection.

Cultural Healing Through Digital Innovation

Australia is unfortunately known for its lack of treaties with Indigenous peoples, leading to lengthy battles over land rights. Lee-Ah Mat aims to address this historical oversight by creating a cultural embassy in the Metaverse. “It’s about using the future to re-write the past,” she explains. By leveraging new technologies like cryptocurrency and blockchain, Indigenous Australians can reclaim a voice in the ongoing dialogue around their rights and sovereignty.

The Need for Respect in the Digital Space

As this project unfolds, the emphasis will also be on respect and education within the Metaverse. Lee-Ah Mat warns against the potential for cultural appropriation in a virtual world that can often feel like the Wild West. The aim is to educate not only Indigenous groups but also those entering this digital landscape about sacred sites and cultural lore. “The virtual land grab is on,” she notes, advising responsible approaches to these new digital spaces.

How the Embassy Will Function

The design phase is underway for the embassy, featuring a conceptual hexagonal dome symbolizing multiple entry points for dialogue. Lee-Ah Mat’s team is in discussions about virtual real estate in platforms like Decentraland and Sandbox, looking to solidify Indigenous presence in the Metaverse. The goal is to create a space where culture, identity, and education converge in ways previously unreached in the digital arena.