In this interview, I discussed the importance of oral histories and geospatial data in our research project. We also collaborated with another colleague to gather archival information to support our findings. Luckily, in Southeast Australia, we had access to a wealth of archival ethnographic data, which was a luxury for our research. We meticulously organized all the collected data into a relational database, using unique codes to track any changes in names or spellings. This level of research capacity was not common, but it received positive responses when presented at conferences. The host mentioned a similar process in South Australia and how time-consuming it can be.

I explained that we made a decision to prioritize this research by utilizing our internal staff, which allowed for more flexibility and dedication to the project. We then discussed the Gamilaraay case, which went to trial, and the overwhelming evidence we presented regarding the living cultural practices of Indigenous populations. In smaller communities, oral evidence holds more weight, and formal models are not as crucial to meet the necessary threshold for recognition.