Dr Tyson Yunkaporta: Sand Talk - Indigenous Thinking With A Future Focus

DNA Of Purpose

Welcome to another episode of the DNA Of Purpose Podcast.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a book saying that I just had to have today's guest on the podcast. After having a read through his book I wholeheartedly agreed, as did the rest of our team at Future Crunch. The guest is Dr Tyson Yunkaporta and the book Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World.

As someone who has spent 15 years mastering the art of business influence, when I picked up the book I was excited about this interview for two reasons. Firstly, of all of the incredible people I have spoken to throughout this podcast, I was yet to interview a voice representing the innate wisdom and knowledge of Australia's Indigenous people.

The other reason is personal. As someone who has spent the last 15 years decoding what makes a personal message influential, I always find it interesting to talk to people who have found a niche area of specialisation that somehow bridges the gap between two completely different worlds to create new stories and perspectives. And in this case, a perspective that has the power to provide the solutions that humankind needs at this point in history more so than ever before.

Tyson Yukanporta has done just that, and yet at the same time having read his book and now spoken to him in person - despite today being a thought-provoking change-maker - He is humble, authentic and his approach is grounded and pragmatic.

So who is this wise sage? Tyson belongs to the Apalech Clan from Western Cape York and is a senior lecturer in Indigenous Knowledge at Deakin University. He has worked extensively with Aboriginal languages and in Indigenous education, and his research activities on oral histories of natural disasters, language, health and cognition. He is a published poet and exhibited artist who practices traditional wood carving.

In his book, Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, he covers everything from echidnas to evolution, cosmology to cooking, sex and science. The book explores how lines, symbols and shapes can help us make sense of the world - and yes we explore how that works today.

• We also chatted about the feasibility of Indigenous thinking as the solution to modern world problems like climate change.
• We discussed the chasm between ancient indigenous ways of life and the contemporary world. We explore why as Australians some of us look to Indigenous peoples as cultural confetti at events, as opposed to wise mentors and advisors who can ultimately help us save the planet.
• We explore the power of story as the bedrock of indigenous thinking and so much more.

So as always, kick back and get ready to dive into the application of ancient wisdom with a future focus with Dr Tyson Yukanporta. Welcome to the podcast.

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