UPDATE: At the Tech23 conference in Sydney on Wednesday, Indigenous leader Lisa Sarago unveiled a compelling vision for the future of the tech industry, emphasizing the urgent need for inclusion and diversity. With just over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals currently in tech roles, Sarago is determined to dramatically increase this number through her initiatives.
Sarago, a proud member of the Bunda Burra Yidinji and Western Yalanji communities, founded both Tiddas (Sisters) in Tech and the Land on Heart Foundation. These organizations aim to mentor Indigenous talent and promote First Nations contributions to technology. She stated, “It’s about taking off the blinkers and starting to not just acknowledge but respect how valuable Indigenous people are to Australia and the economy.”
The tech sector is facing a shortfall of 186,000 jobs in the coming years, presenting a golden opportunity for Indigenous Australians. Sarago emphasized that the inclusion of First Nations perspectives can drive innovation and expand customer bases. “We’re the oldest living culture in the world,” she noted, urging companies to recognize the business advantages of diverse hiring.
However, Sarago highlighted significant barriers that Indigenous individuals encounter, such as limited internet access in remote areas, affordability of hardware, and challenges in securing capital. “We don’t get looked at as someone that anyone wants to invest in,” she remarked, stressing the need for systemic change to overcome these hurdles.
In response to these challenges, Sarago is committed to establishing regional and remote hubs that cultivate skills among the next generation of Indigenous tech leaders. “We’re going to have these amazing Indigenous tech superstars coming up the ranks,” she affirmed. “That’s the dream and it will happen.”
As the tech industry continues to evolve, the call for inclusion has never been more critical. Sarago’s passionate plea at the Tech23 conference serves as a rallying cry for change, urging stakeholders to ensure that the future of technology reflects the rich diversity of Australia’s population.
The time for action is now, as the tech landscape stands on the brink of transformation with the potential to uplift Indigenous talent and perspectives. The question remains: Will the industry rise to the occasion?
