Wiradjuri Elders are learning the ABCs and more of technology, in a new program devised and led by First Nations teachers.
The 'Tech Savvy Elders' classes are designed to teach basic digital literacy skills, the kind which are increasingly necessary to function in today's society, and run from local Aboriginal community hubs around Wagga Wagga.
A dozen Elders gathered on Monday at the Ngurra hub, focussing on email and social media.
"A lot of Elders get work, or they want to help out in the community more, but a lot of organizations require email, which many Elders don't have," said Sarah Levett, a Wiradjuri Gundungurra woman leading the classes.
"So it kind of makes it hard for them to reach out in that way."
Ms Levett says the program will focus on other similarly functional and everyday digital skills.
Monday's class dealt with social media and email, with future sessions to look at government apps and video calling. Source: Supplied: Bernard higgins
"The MyGov app, the Centrelink app... even what vouchers and other entitlements they're able to get, the eligible concessions."
The program will also look at video conferencing with family. Aboriginal Community Development Officer at Wagga Wagga City Council Bernard Higgins says facilitating connection with family has been a big take away from COVID.
"A lot of the elderly people have had that disconnect from community because they just didn't have technology know-how," he said.
"When you think about Elders, they're culturally significant and very important parts of the community, but also vulnerable.
"People have been feeling isolated and left behind and not really feeling connected. If they've got a smartphone, they can see the stuff that we take for granted such as Zoom or FaceTime and email."
released by the National Indigenous Australians Agency last year highlighted some of the obstacles in the way of First Nations Elders.
The paper found they face the compounding difficulties of lower digital literacy and accessibility rates amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people generally, and the generational gap felt by older people everywhere when approaching technology.
It makes Elders particularly vulnerable to increasing instances of online fraud and racial abuse, as well as limiting their access to information delivered online such as has happened intensely during the pandemic.
Making Elders feel comfortable to attend classes was also paramount. Mr Higgins says that is why classes are being held at community hubs around town,
It's also why the Elders are being taught by Ms Levett and fellow teacher Wes Boney, both First Nations.
Ms Levett said they were almost too successful at Monday's gathering, where a friendly atmosphere was immediately established.
"Yeah, there's been a bit too many yarns! But I think having it here at the hub has been really positive because it's a space they are familiar with, so then we can focus on the learning as much as possible.
"It's also good, like being able to sit down and talk and connect with them more. You know, I think like everyone wants to obviously connect to the elders as much as they can be able to do this and help them is really great.
