Getting mob back on Country
Centre research has led to culturally appropriate and more effective conservation and land management practices by involving Aboriginal people in looking after their traditional lands.
The Wiradjuri/Wolgalu community’s knowledge of and connection to Country holds valuable lessons for modern natural resource management.
So strengthening that knowledge and connection for the next generation is important to build more resilient people and environments for the future.
Funded by the Centre, the Wollongong University Healing Country through Wiradjuri and Wolgalu-led cultural land management project ran a series of on-Country activities that brought together the community and natural resource management agencies, including through the community’s Indigenous Ranger Program (Bugang Bila).
For example, the community got involved in conserving several culturally significant species such as the endangered gyak (corroboree frog) and Tumut grevillea.
Megan Considine, member of the Brungle-Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council, says her family and community have benefitted from their participation in the project.
“This project has benefited me physically, spiritually and mentally, as well as my kids. Our intentions have always been to keep culture alive, learn as much as we can and get our own cultural confidence up so that we can become leaders in the community for our kids,” she says.
The project has resulted in new funding and employment opportunities with the creation of natural resource management officer roles, which in turn has led to stronger connections to Country across the community.
Cultural activities for teenagers have built knowledge about Wiradjuri/Wolgalu culture, history, stories and practices, and empowered young people to manage the land into the future.
There is also increased trust between the community and various natural resource management agencies, who have gleaned valuable insights based on Indigenous knowledge.
Gabriel Wilks, Senior Project Officer at NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, says the work “provides much needed perspective that will help us all in natural resource management to meet the ever-increasing desire to work closely with the Traditional Owners of this land.”
The outcomes of this research hold valuable lessons for other agencies wishing to integrate traditional knowledge into their response and ensure strategies are culturally and locally appropriate and sustainable.
Acknowledging our funders and partners