Story of the IKC logo

In 2002, the first Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) were developed in partnership with then Aboriginal Community and Island Councils across Queensland. Seven IKCs were opened in 2002 with many more to follow over the years.

This year thirteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Shire and Regional Councils will celebrate the role their IKC/s play in their communities, as libraries, meeting places, hubs and keeping places.

In 2011, Sharon Phineasa, a Torres Strait Islander woman and a descendant of the Ait-Koedal and Dhoeybaw clans of Saibai Island and Dauan Island, was commissioned by the State Library to create a logo for the IKC network. Over the years, the IKC logo has been used for many purposes, such as the biannual IKC Workshop, workshop shirts and other promotional items. The logo has unified the (current) 24 IKCs that operate across Queensland from Boigu Island, the northernest island in the Torres Strait and 6 kilometres from Papua New Guinea to Cherbourg the southernmost IKC, closest to Brisbane.

In 2022, two new IKCs will be officially opened at Injinoo, operated by Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council and Mapoon, operated by Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council. By mid year, the IKC network will grow to 26 IKCs, operated by thirteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Shire and Regional Councils.

The logo is explained:

The progressive nature of the artwork with the sea and freshwater turtles advancing along a path in an upward momentum represents the journey of “long time learning”. Both turtles are an important aspect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and represent the admirable ability to overcome obstacles in order to survive and progress.

The circular design of the artwork represents the concept that learning is a continual, lifelong, eternal process. Surrounding this design are ‘mini circles’ connected to each other with colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. This represents the IKC Coordinators who are connected in their efforts to provide a vital part of learning and development, as well as creating and nurturing learning opportunities in their respective communities through their Indigenous Knowledge Centre/s.

The land bodies on the top and bottom of the design (brown for land and yellow for sand) represent the supportive roles of the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane, to the south and the Indigenous Library Services team, based in Cairns in the north.

The vine motifs running in between the land and sand symbolise growth of knowledge, skills and positive developmental experiences. By attaining this growth, all are able to progress and become productive and successful in all areas of community life and beyond.