I recently had the privilege of attending the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) as a First Nations Fellow, an experience that reinforced both the urgency and opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in shaping Australia’s digital future.
The auIGF brings together government, industry, civil society, technical experts and community leaders to discuss how the internet is governed in Australia. From access and affordability to artificial intelligence, data governance and digital inclusion, the conversations are complex, fast-moving and deeply influential. Being present in these spaces matters, particularly for First Nations people whose communities are often most affected by digital policy decisions, yet least represented in their design.
As a Fellow, I participated in policy discussions that explored the intersection of technology, culture and equity. Key themes included Indigenous data sovereignty, ethical AI, online safety, and the challenges faced by regional and remote communities in accessing reliable and culturally safe digital infrastructure. These discussions reinforced the need for governance frameworks that recognise Indigenous rights, knowledge systems and community-led solutions.
What stood out most was the value of lived experience in these conversations. First Nations perspectives grounded discussions that can otherwise become abstract, ensuring policy debates remained connected to real communities, real impacts and long-term consequences. The Fellowship created space not only to listen and learn, but to actively contribute, challenge assumptions and advocate for approaches that centre self-determination and cultural integrity.
The Fellowship reaffirmed my commitment to advocating for inclusive, ethical and community-led digital futures. Internet governance is not a technical issue alone; it is a social, cultural and human one. Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are part of shaping that future is essential if digital progress is to benefit everyone.
December 17, 2025
auIGF First Nations Fellow
I recently had the privilege of attending the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) as a First Nations Fellow, an experience that reinforced both the urgency and opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in shaping Australia’s digital future.
The auIGF brings together government, industry, civil society, technical experts and community leaders to discuss how the internet is governed in Australia. From access and affordability to artificial intelligence, data governance and digital inclusion, the conversations are complex, fast-moving and deeply influential. Being present in these spaces matters, particularly for First Nations people whose communities are often most affected by digital policy decisions, yet least represented in their design.
As a Fellow, I participated in policy discussions that explored the intersection of technology, culture and equity. Key themes included Indigenous data sovereignty, ethical AI, online safety, and the challenges faced by regional and remote communities in accessing reliable and culturally safe digital infrastructure. These discussions reinforced the need for governance frameworks that recognise Indigenous rights, knowledge systems and community-led solutions.
What stood out most was the value of lived experience in these conversations. First Nations perspectives grounded discussions that can otherwise become abstract, ensuring policy debates remained connected to real communities, real impacts and long-term consequences. The Fellowship created space not only to listen and learn, but to actively contribute, challenge assumptions and advocate for approaches that centre self-determination and cultural integrity.
The Fellowship reaffirmed my commitment to advocating for inclusive, ethical and community-led digital futures. Internet governance is not a technical issue alone; it is a social, cultural and human one. Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are part of shaping that future is essential if digital progress is to benefit everyone.
Astrid Innes
Marketing and Communications Manager