#Gaia4All Indigenous Hackathon Winners Announced: Bridging Technology & Indigenous Knowledge for Global Early Warnings Systems

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing global resilience to climate change impacts, the Gaia4All Indigenous Hackathon unfolded on October 28-29. The event, themed "Gaia4All: Indigenous Hackathon for Global Early Warning Systems," was organized by Space4Innovation and spearheaded by Indigenous leaders committed to contributing to the United Nations' goal of establishing effective early warning systems worldwide by 2027. The Indigenous hackathon addressed the critical need for timely alerts in the face of escalating climate change impacts, aiming to safeguard lives and livelihoods across the globe.

The Essence of #Gaia4All

The Indigenous Hackathon was driven by a commitment to co-create technological solutions that integrate scientific, local, and Indigenous knowledge. The overarching goal was to get one step closer to making early warnings universally accessible, particularly to Indigenous and underrepresented communities, to ensure everyone has the tools to proactively mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.

Unveiling the Challenges

The hackathon kicked off on October 28 with an inspiring opening ceremony, during which the challenges were revealed to an engaged global audience. With over 250 registered participants, the event brought together diverse backgrounds and expertise setting the stage for a rich tapestry of ideas and innovations.

Finalists and Judging

Out of the impressive pool of participants, three outstanding teams emerged as finalists: the Samburu Water Warriors Team, the Amazon Tsunki Hub Team, and the Hawe Air Quality App Team. The panel of judges consisted of Indigenous leaders: Shakaim Vargas from the Ecuadorian Amazon, Titus Letaapo from the Samburu Tribe, and Philimon D. Two Eagle, (Sicangu Lakota from the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota)

In a remarkable display of talent and innovation, the Samburu Water Warriors Team and the Amazon Tsunki Hub Team were jointly awarded the first prize, while the Hawe Air Quality App Team secured second place. ??

Winning Solutions and Teams

?? Samburu Water Warriors Team (First Place)

Hackers: Sahir Khan (Kenya/Austria), Dr. 盖法尔Abdul Ghaffar Memon (Pakistan), Mohamed Omar (Somali), Evaristo Ramos (Canada)

Challenge submitted by: Titus Letaapo (Samburu)

Youtube Video?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Kpve9GB_I

Our solution addresses the challenges of water scarcity for semi-nomadic agropastoral communities in Northern Kenya. We focus on providing data driven solutions for improved sand dam planning and investment decisions as well monitoring of existing sand dams using a combination of indigenous knowledge, networked IOT sensors, GIS-enabled Hydrological modelling, and cutting edge Earth Observation sensors. We present two solutions. The first solution aims to identify the optimal locations for future sand-dam construction based on a multi-sensor multi-criteria approach that integrates Indigenous knowledge on grazing and migration patterns over various time-scales with Earth Observation (EO) hydrological data and proven GIS methodologies applied to other areas of Northern Kenya. The second solution utilizes IOT sensors embedded into existing sand dams, coupled with EO enabled soil moisture and precipitation data, to enable indigenous communities to monitor changes in moisture content over time. This would provide information on the rate at which moisture is lost from different sand dams over time and would enable prioritization of stored water resources over long dry-spells. As an add-on to our space enabled solutions, we would also perform knowledge transfer with the communities to enable them to build their own water purification devices.

?? Amazon Tsunki Hub Team (First Place)

Hackers: Jonathan Pierre (Canada), Evaristo Ramos (Roo) (Canada), and Miroslawa Alunowska Figueroa, DPhil (Oxon) (Mexico/UK)

Challenge submitted by Shakaim Vargas (Shuar)

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HngHRK3voNg

The Tsunki Amazonian Knowledge Hub Open Data Portal represents a transformative and community-focused approach to open data. It bridges generational divides, fosters transparency, enhances decision-making and governance, and leverages indigenous knowledge for the betterment of the community and the Amazon. Its uniqueness lies in its contextualization and emphasis on local data. With robust architecture, feasibility is assured, and usability is a natural outcome, making it a powerful tool for the preservation and advancement of the Amazonian way of life.

?? Hewa App: Oyáte Owóksape Wíyutehi? Nakú? I?íyapi Wíyute?i? Zaptá? (Community Air Quality Information App) (Second place)

Hackers: Douglas Mbura (Kissi tribe, Kenya), Sonali Zol (India)

Challenge submitted by Philimon D. Two Eagle, (Sicangu Lakota from the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota)

The Hawe Air Quality App provides users with access to in-situ air quality data, integrating Indigenous Lakota knowledge and local insights into measurements. The app promotes community awareness and advocacy, supporting collective efforts to address air quality issues and encouraging environmental improvements.

Recognition and Prizes

The winners of the Gaia4All Indigenous Hackathon are not only celebrated for their innovative solutions but are also set to receive a host of opportunities:

• Invitation as Virtual Keynote Speakers at COP28: The winners will share their groundbreaking projects at the "Indigenous-Led Climate Action: Democratizing Space Data for Planetary Wellbeing and Education" side event in the Greening Education Hub at COP28.
• 20 Hours of Mentorship from Space4Innovation: Tailored guidance and mentorship will be provided to further develop the innovative projects.
• Keynote Speakers in the Next GEO Indigenous Alliance Summit: A platform to showcase their projects and contribute to important discussions in the field.
• Featured in the GEO Indigenous Alliance and Space4Innovation Newsletter: An opportunity to share insights and experiences with a wider audience.
• Interviewed by the GEO Indigenous Alliance Leadership and Space4Innovation: An opportunity to share insights and experiences with an international audience.

As the Gaia4All Indigenous Hackathon concludes, we extend heartfelt congratulations to the winners and to all participants for their dedication to creating a more resilient and sustainable future. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the mentors - Anthony Vodacek Igor Ogashawara Alessandra Divizia Merrie Neely, Ph.D., PMP - whose expertise and dedication significantly contributed to the success of this Indigenous-led scientific undertaking.

The event not only marks a significant milestone in Indigenous-led innovation but also sets a powerful precedent for the harmonious integration of traditional wisdom and cutting-edge technology in addressing global challenges.

What’s Next ?

While the hackathon sprint may be over, the journey continues. The event's impact extends beyond its duration, as the hackers have collectively committed to ongoing collaboration with Indigenous communities. Their dedication involves refining and finalizing the innovative solutions developed during the hackathon, ensuring they transition from concepts to reality. This commitment reflects a sustained effort to address the pressing challenges faced by Indigenous and underrepresented communities, embodying the ethos of the Gaia4All Indigenous Hackathon beyond its initial sprint.

If you are interested in sponsoring or mentoring any of the teams please get in touch with [email protected] we would love to hear from you!