Social media reacts to new Indigenous emojis

The emoji keyboard has always had a single Aussie flag to denote an entire nation of multicultural people, many of whom are Indigenous — until now.

Android and iOS will be pushing out 19 new emojis in the coming weeks, and Aussies are so here for it.

Ingeous Studios, which has been involved with the app development, lifted the lid on their Indigemojis project this morning.

“Not long to wait! Really proud that we could be involved with app development for Android and iOS and the development of #Indigemoji keyboards for both platforms,” they posted on Facebook this morning.

“We are hoping to release the Android app in the next two weeks and then the iOS. Stage two is keyboard release for both platforms,” the studio told its followers.

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Behold, the long-awaited Indigemojis. Picture: Facebook. Source: Ingeous Studios

Indigemojis are set to include a boomerang, a love heart and crown in the colours of the Aboriginal flag. The icons, made by young people of Arrernte country in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, also include a kangaroo tail and a dingo.

According to the Indigemoji website, the emojis are designed to “inspire young people to decolonise their digital spaces.”

Well THAT was a big summer. We had 960 participants in our Indigemoji workshops at the @ASPLibrary this school holidays. Together they made more than 100 emoji designs. Coming soon! 🙌 #AliceSprings pic.twitter.com/W4MpKsNyXR

— Caddie Brain (@CaddieBrain) February 15, 2019

Social media users have been largely supportive of the move, with some calling for the Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander flags to be added as well.

“Awesome! Long overdue!” commented one Facebook user. Another added, “Love the roo tail and the enamel cup with the teabag hangin’ out. Classic!”

🖤💛❤️ DECOLONIZE THE DIGITAL 🖤💛❤️

Indigenous emojis are coming this year!!!

Made by young people on Arrernte country in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and @ingeousstudios#decolonize #Indigemoji pic.twitter.com/6eiHuYtI66

— Jess Shulman أغنية רוֹנִית (@jess_shulman) July 12, 2019

Really impressed with this: "Australia’s first set of Indigenous emojis, made by young people on Arrernte country in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and complete #Indigenous app development." #Indigemoji

Coming soon. Details: https://t.co/26yxSgAAAR

Ping @timhighfield pic.twitter.com/opgs7gYAy3

— Tama Leaver (@tamaleaver) July 12, 2019

AAAARRGGGHHHH YAAAASSSSS OMG INDIGEMOJI IS COMING!!!! pic.twitter.com/urmHh1Nos3

— Amy Thunig (@AmyThunig) July 11, 2019

The emojis come after a landmark decision was made in 2017 to ban tourists from climbing Uluru out of respect for Indigenous peoples.

The move has sparked tourists flocking to the site in recent weeks, eager to climb the rock before the official ban and closure date, much to locals’ distress.

A Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation spokesperson said traditional landowners were devastated by the surge in climbers.

“I for one cannot wait for the climb to be permanently closed and our sacred lore, culture and traditions to be acknowledged and respected,” they said.