Apple adds Indigenous names to its maps

Traditional names will be added to maps used by Apple, the tech giant has announced.

Apple has said it will show Indigenous reserves and protected areas and reflect traditional place names in a number of programs, including weather and location apps.

About 250 traditional names including Meanjin (Brisbane), Naarm (Melbourne) and the Eora Nation (Sydney) will be displayed as options as part of the update, and will appear in location searches.

Maps will also display the names of traditional owners for each area after Apple held talks with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

The company had previously added traditional names in the United States and Canada in 2023 and Maori names to New Zealand maps.

Community leader Charles Prouse, from the Kimberley, has been working with Apple for a number of tears on the project.

“We were almost wiped off the map,” Mr Prouse said.

“To put ourselves back on the map – that’s a powerful thing.”

The information will be updated and there is also community complaints system so traditional owners can advice on any changes needed.

And communities will be invited to contribute to “place cards” to provide cultural information about map locations through photos and text.

“We’ve had teams in Australia and New Zealand for over 40 years, and we’re thrilled to deepen our relationships here and bring new opportunities to communities across both countries,” Alisha Johnson Wilder, Apple’s senior director of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, said.

“These efforts put community first by representing Indigenous land, expanding access to education, and protecting our shared environment.”