Tyson Yunkaporta is an Australian academic, author, and indigenous thinker. He is a member of the Apalech Clan from Far North Queensland and is best known for his book Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World. Yunkaporta's work explores Indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance to contemporary global challenges, including sustainability, education, and systems thinking.

Tyson Yunkaporta was born in Far North Queensland, Australia, and is of Aboriginal heritage, belonging to the Apalech Clan. His early life and cultural upbringing significantly influenced his perspectives on knowledge systems, storytelling, and community interconnectedness.

Yunkaporta pursued higher education in Australia and holds a doctorate in education. His academic work focuses on the intersection of Indigenous knowledge systems and modern contexts, particularly in education and sustainability.

Yunkaporta is research fellow at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, where he was formerly a senior lecturer, teaching Indigenous Knowledge Systems. He has also worked as a researcher, educator, and woodcarver. His multidisciplinary approach combines traditional Indigenous practices with contemporary academic frameworks.^[1]

In 2019, Yunkaporta published Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, a book that gained international recognition for its innovative approach to understanding Indigenous knowledge systems. The book uses storytelling, diagrams, and personal anecdotes to explore complex concepts such as sustainability, relationality, and systems thinking. Sand Talk has been praised for its accessible and thought-provoking style, offering readers a way to engage with Indigenous perspectives on global issues.^[2] Yunkaporta calls for fewer token gestures such as land acknowledgements and more meaningful inclusion.^[3] The book has been described as a unique contribution to the fields of philosophy, ecology, and education. It challenges Western paradigms of knowledge and advocates for a more holistic, interconnected worldview.

In addition to his writing, Yunkaporta is a speaker and consultant, working with organisations and communities to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems into contemporary practices. He has collaborated with various groups on projects related to education, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation.

Yunkaporta is also an accomplished woodcarver, a practice that reflects his connection to traditional Indigenous art and storytelling.

Yunkaporta's work is rooted in the concept of relationality, which emphasises the interconnectedness of all things. He advocates for a shift away from extractive, linear thinking towards a more cyclical and relational approach to problem-solving. His philosophy draws on Indigenous knowledge systems as a means of addressing global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and cultural disconnection.

Through his writing and teaching, Yunkaporta highlights the importance of listening to Indigenous voices and recognising the value of non-Western ways of knowing.

Yunkaporta's contributions to Indigenous scholarship and global discourse have earned him recognition in Australia and internationally. Sand Talk was shortlisted for several literary awards and has been translated into multiple languages. His work continues to inspire discussions about the role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping a sustainable future.

• Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World (2019)

• Systems thinking
• Sustainability

• Deakin University profile
• Dr Yunkaporta on Linkedin