Welcome again to all those readers and supporters of NAILSMA. This
edition of Kantri Laif showcases the realisation of the inherent
role of Indigenous people in the management of their lands and seas
across northern Australia.
Importantly, Indigenous land and sea management also represents the
emerging paradigm change Indigenous people have created towards
shaping a north Australia that speaks of equality and
inclusiveness, particularly in relation to broader issues of
development. Most importantly, this movement of Indigenous people
in the management of their lands highlights a desire to
re-establish links with ancestral lands and seas using Indigenous
Knowledge and effective collaborations to achieve results that are
beneficial for people and country.
In August this year, on behalf of the Northern Taskforce, NAILSMA
hosted the Indigenous Water Futures Forum at Mary River in the
Northern Territory, where a rigorous discussion was had regarding
development in the north, in particular the use of water. This
meeting reminded us that the historical legacy of excluding
Indigenous people from planning processes in the past has left a
daunting task for current and future generations to find an
equitable solution for sustainable development.
The magnitude of the issues we are collectively dealing with across
the north – practical management, knowledge generation for
new and emerging industries as well as ensuring that benefits are
created at the local community level as well as the regional and
national level are ever increasing. Basic human rights and respect
for them are essential if we are to meet our vision – please
see our website for a copy of the statement made at this meeting by
delegates.
The Indigenous leadership at this meeting represented the start of
a necessary journey on this issue of development in northern
Australia. I would like to thank Joe Ross, chair of the Northern
Taskforce and Richie AhMat, taskforce member and NAILSMA Chair for
ensuring that the work of the taskforce is taken seriously. I hope
that this time, the Australian Government takes seriously, the
opportunities presented by enabling Indigenous people to lead the
development of the north, rather than be passive on-lookers as has
been the case since colonisation commenced. I look forward to the
report of the taskforce early next year.
As an aside from this historic gathering, the Indigenous Water
Policy Group has worked with the Northern Land Council to get an
allocation from the Katherine Water Plan for Dagoman people in
Katherine for economic development purposes. This achievement has
been made possible by this timely collaboration and I thank Ian
Lancaster and Robert Dalton for their efforts in making this
initial step. The next step will be to improve on these efforts and
engage Dagoman in economic development activities.
We have been collaborating with the University of New South Wales
and CSIRO to produce a report on the risks from climate change to
Indigenous communities in tropical north Australia. This report,
the first of its kind will be a profound wake up call regarding the
issue of climate change in rural and remote Indigenous communities.
If climate change is ignored then issues such as health, housing
and education will clearly worsen with rising temperatures, sea
levels, and changes in rainfall and customary activities. NAILSMA
looks forward to the Australian Government and others supporting
all recommendations from this exercise in collaboration with the
right agencies best equipped to deal with climate change. I believe
that the NAILSMA philosophy of a Culture-Based Economic approach
will become more profound due to the effects of climate change and
emerging carbon markets.
In July, NAILSMA in collaboration with Warddeken Land Management
and Traditional Owners from Kabulwarnamyo convened a gathering at
Gulnuki in Western Arnhem Land. Approximately 120 people attended
the field trip, the majority being Indigenous rangers from across
the north, and a scientific community from local, national and
international agencies. We gathered to discuss fire management,
community aspirations and to research early dry season emissions.
The trip also introduced Professor Ross Garnaut, the Australian
Governments advisor on climate change to the opportunity for
Indigenous people from savanna burning and downstream opportunities
such as biosequestration. Another field trip was then held in
September to examine emissions from late dry season fires.
Preliminary results from both field trips are promising.
We continue to work with the Department of Climate Change to ensure
that policy initiatives continue to support Indigenous economic
development that delivers employment, training and governance
outcomes in rural and remote northern Australia.
Over the last 12 months I have worked with Mr Richie AhMat as the
Chair of NAILSMA. Richie has been inspirational to work with, and
has brought a lot of integrity, energy, dedication and guidance to
NAILSMA at a time when it was required from the departure of Peter
Yu. Wayne Bergmann will replace Richie as the
NAILSMA Chair for the next 12 months commencing in November.
Lastly, we were deeply saddened in October when a number of key
senior people in northern Australia passed away: the last rock
artist from Arnhem Land, Wamud Namok, whose intellect and love of
his country commenced the fire abatement initiative in West Arnhem,
and in the north Kimberley and Cape York, senior people had also
passed away.
The role of our senior people are the inspiration and driving force
for NAILSMA, and many people whom we collaborate with as well. We
cannot express the level of our sadness at losing our old people
–
I dedicate this Kantri Laif to those old people who worked and
fought so hard for us today.
