Supporting Aboriginal NRM in the ACT

Brief description

The Supporting Aboriginal NRM in the ACT project is targeting six areas of importance to Aboriginal NRM in the ACT: 1. Identifying and sharing cultural knowledge - through training (eg, cultural awareness training, governance training for Registered Aboriginal Organisations) and supporting community groups and events (eg traditional fishing, basket weaving, community canoe making workshops) 2. Engaging Aboriginal youth in NRM - through training (eg, Archaeological training for youth, engagement with schools in land restoration, supporting Aboriginal Green Army team participants) and supporting community groups and events (eg traditional Aboriginal NRM conference, fun community events such as community fishing, bush-tucker garden) 3. Aboriginal NRM employment - Mentoring (eg Indigenous restoration officer in Greening Australia), training, supporting Aboriginal business enterprises, helping to identify future employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. 4. Applying Aboriginal land management techniques - eg, supporting production of plant use guides, investigate potential application of traditional burning techniques, training (eg Aboriginal Land Management course) 5. Using NRM to support justice and health areas to assist with the Aboriginal communities social issues - eg, helping to deliver 'assisting cultural heritage and conservation land management program' at Alexander Maconochie Prison; and 'Understanding Aboriginal Culture and Country' in Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. 6. Aboriginal NRM governance - eg facilitating Aboriginal input into NRM consultation processes, such as the ACT Water Resources Plan (requirement of Murray Darling Basin Plan), Landcare Peak Body and ACT Bushfire Council consultations. Delivery: The Project will be delivered through the ACT Aboriginal Natural Resource Management facilitator (ANRMF), and also Southern ACT, Ginninderra and Molonglo Catchment groups. The ANRMF will build capacity; help protect Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, and use Aboriginal NRM activities, training and education to gain better social outcomes for the Aboriginal community. Workshops will vary in their content and be designed according to local needs. Some workshops will focus on recording and sharing traditional ecological knowledge while others will involve visits to country. Some workshops will involve bringing Aboriginal people together to plan and advice on delivery of NRM programs. Communication activities will be delivered through a variety of formats including the Aboriginal cultural knowledge system, web content, newsletters, media releases and reports. Each communication activity will focus on the issues and topics of importance to the Aboriginal communities in the catchment. Aboriginal stakeholders will be engaged in identifying their cultural/natural landscapes across the ACT region; developing skills in land management and conservation; and participating in training in providing Aboriginal NRM and heritage advice in management plans. The three catchment groups will facilitate the delivery of Aboriginal activities to raise awareness of non-Aboriginal people about Aboriginal NRM. This will be done through activities such as cultural heritage workshops for land managers and volunteers, and also walks and talks for interested community members.