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Agenda-setting workshop: The North Australian
Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance has been meeting with
its partners to work out a framework for the future.
Pictured from left are Peter Yu, Jim Davis, Ari
Gorring, Michael Storrs, Peter Cooke, Joe Morrison, Lisa Binge,
Paul Jenkins, Kelly Gardner and Paul Josif.
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THE North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance
(NAILSMA) has been preparing for a crucial period of development in
the north—a workshop held in Darwin recently brought together
the north’s Indigenous land councils to discuss how they will
collaborate.
It was also agreed that the first north Australia Land and Sea
Management Forum will be held at Menngen
Outstation on Innesvale Station west of Katherine in August, hosted
by Traditional Owner Bill Harney, and the Wardaman
Association.
The workshop discussed current and future projects including
Indigenous knowledge conservation, turtle and dugong
management, fire management, leadership support and the need to
begin working on water issues across the north. An important
outcome was the development of an operational framework and
governance arrangements. CRC co-Theme Leader and NAILSMA
coordinator Joe Morrison said that the workshop was very much
needed.
“It is a time when development across the north is at a
crucial period for Indigenous people,” he said.
“Indigenous people need to have meaningful engagement and
their aspirations met on their terms.
“Each land and sea unit manager also gave a report on
their regional activities—which made for
interesting collaborative decision making with a north
Australian focus,” said Joe.
Held from 25–26 May, the meeting was attended by
representatives from the Northern Land Council, Balkanu
Cape York Development Corporation, Kimberly Land Council
(KLC), Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal
Corporation, Indigenous Land Corporation and staff
from the Tropical Savannas CRC. The workshop was chaired by former
KLC director, Peter Yu, and all participants expressed their desire
to continue to work with Peter.
