Featuring
Leslie Lowe
Managing Director T.E.C.K.nology Environmental – Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge
How do we know what is expected of us without leadership. Showing the good ways for people to follow is leadership. Look to the best examples and aspire to follow their lead.
Q. Can you describe what your business, T.E.C.K.nology is about?
A. T.E.C.K.nology Indigenous Corporation is protecting the Indigenous way of being, knowing and doing. We use Utilising this knowledge to protect and enhance outcomes for the Environment and People. To show by example how Indigenous knowledge is a powerful tool for problem solving and adaptation to the changing climate.
Q. How can Indigenous traditional knowledge be used in STEM? For example in managing burning practices and using bush medicine?
A. Fuel reduction burns and Aboriginal Pyroagricultural and environmental management techniques are worlds apart. One is reactive, one is proactive, guess which?? Many of the major International pharmaceutical company’s use Indigenous bush medicines as the base for modern drugs and treatments.
Q. What educational programs have you developed to educate promote school-aged students about sustainable environmental Indigenous industries, providing sustainable environmental and agricultural services? (Bernice, Southport SHS)
A. We have a number of initiatives my fave is the Native bee Program, sharing knowledge, food and medicines from sister bee teaching. The bush fires have decimated the populations in many locations so we look to repopulate with our rescued hives.
Q. What are some of the aspects of your traditional knowledge that can be linked to your business? (how do these things go together) (Emma, Babinda State School)
A. Everything we do is linked to First Nations knowledge, Boomerangs to Drones (see David Uniapon), rang first UAV, drones latest UAV.
Q. T.E.C.K.nology has done a lot of relocating animals from urban areas (and buildings), what was your most “interesting” work day?
A. Busy days are best, wrangling Cupel 12 foot (scrub python) in the morning and relocating her, she vomited up the two neighbours cats that had gone missing!! Relocating a microbat caught in council chambers and then tracking and euthanising a feral bull that had attacked a local resident.
Q. You have used drones to check on magpies, how does T.E.C.K.nology use modern technologies to take care of animals and the environment?
A. Always, one of the founding principles of Indigenous ways, Do no harm, only take what is needed and always compensate country for the gifts of life. Modern tech is combined with traditional knowledge as a tool and aid (tech fails, life does not) remote camera monitoring, sensors and monitor’s in bee hives collecting and analysing data, Electromagnetic field analysis of Indigenous special places.
Q. Your first degree was environmental science, now you’re studying aviation. What is it like to restart in a new field of STEM?
A. Science is science, like learning a trade you can take many skills from one and apply to another. The Aviation degree helps immensely when I am researching bee flight, their physics and systems.
Q. Why did you choose both of these careers – what interests or experiences influenced your decision? (Marni, Atherton SHS)
A. Thanks Marni, I was unhappy with my life, or more so the way it had turned sour. So I thought back to my youth and all my dreams and expectations. As a young boy I wanted to be a pilot and scientist, flying around the world to study interesting people and places. Make your dreams come true, only you can do it. Very happy with my life now!!
Q. You have described yourself as a social entrepreneur – what does this mean to you?
A. Even worse an Indigenous Social Entrepreneur, taking the Aboriginal fundamentals of social harmony, No kings and Queens, only leaders and we move together as one society. How do our works benefit society as a whole rather than being a greedy accumulator.
Q. You support others as an iChange champion at university. Why is this leadership role so important, especially for those coming straight out of school?
A. How do we know what is expected of us without leadership. Showing the good ways for people to follow is leadership. Look to the best examples and aspire to follow their lead.
Leslie Lowe is a proud Bundjalung man from the northern rivers of NSW. His dedication to professional and public engagement works to preserve knowledge and understanding of Australia’s first people.
Leslie is a co-founder of TECKnology (Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge), an Indigenous corporation that combines traditional knowledge with modern business principles. In this role, Leslie blends his extensive knowledge of environmental science with his passion for traditional Aboriginal education. He is committed to preserving, educating and developing modern business models for Indigenous industries, providing sustainable environmental and agricultural services.
In addition to his business, Leslie commits countless hours to his community and as part of returning to CQUniversity for his second degree – Bachelor of Aviation – and is an iChange Champion, assisting his fellow students at various social innovation events. Leslie was awarded the CQUniversity Alumnus of the Year in 2020 for his innovative business.