The nutritional composition of Australian native grains used by First Nations people and their re-emergence for human health and sustainable food systems

First Nations people of Australia sustained complex grassland grain production systems prior to colonisation. The revival these foodways could aid in mitigating the interlinked issues land degradation, reduced landscape resilience and declining food security. For Gamilaraay people, original custodians grasslands north-west New South Wales south-west Queensland, efforts are underway bring their ancient system into a modern context with authenticity integrity. aim this transdisciplinary study was investigate nutritional quality Australian native grains identify functional properties that may help promote nascent industry; complimented by using autoethnography understand how custodians, like might equitably benefit. Ethnographic findings highlight aspire improve health wellbeing through economic development consumption grains, particularly Elders who disproportionately suffer from non-communicable disease. However, many have lived experiences being systemically exploited excluded, agriculture space. To prioritise interests Traditional Custodians, species used biochemical assays were de-identified. Wholegrains seven culturally significant species, domesticated brown rice as control, threshed, milled, analysed triplicate for proximate, elemental, non-starch fatty acids, total free phenolic content. Compared rice, protein significantly higher all (9.4–32.6 g/100 g); whilst carbohydrates lower (36.5–53.7 g). One had exceptionally high phenolics (569 mg GAE/100 g) compared (60 All generally elemental content, levels Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, P, K two species. samples dominated unsaturated fats polyunsaturated low carbohydrates, protein, good fats, mineral content suggests be beneficial human improving nutrient intake protecting against disease, thus marketable foods. ensure flourishing industry where benefits healthful future research must led.