Jocelyn Davies (DKCRC and CSIRO), Naomi Rea and Collins Gipey (Charles Darwin University), April Campbell and Ray Mulkatana (Anmatjere community)

Transcription

1 Applying traditional knowledge for sustainable livelihoods in environmental management 12th Annual Conference of Parliamentary Public Works and Environment Committees, Parliament House, Darwin 19 21st Sept Session on traditional knowledge and management. 19th September 2007 Abstract Jocelyn Davies (DKCRC and CSIRO), Naomi Rea and Collins Gipey (Charles Darwin University), April Campbell and Ray Mulkatana (Anmatjere community) The expression of Aboriginal traditional knowledge in songs, painting and ecosystem management contributes to Australia s national identity and presents economic opportunities for which remote Aboriginal people have some competitive advantage. Traditional knowledge is a key resource for sustainable management of ecosystems, embedding understandings of biodiversity, landscapes and ecological relationships. Australia faces a clear challenge in keeping traditional knowledge systems alive and vital: although recordings and archives of traditional knowledge have an important place they have much less value for adaptive management of the ecosystems of remote Australia than skilled knowledgeable Aboriginal people. Traditional knowledge provides remote Aboriginal people with motivation, aptitude, authority and governance structures for ecosystem management, the latter being particularly expressed in customary law. Prevalent economic and social crisis amongst many Aboriginal peoples of remote Australia has recently attracted renewed political attention. Much attention is now being given to transitioning remote Aboriginal people into real jobs, particularly in the NT and WA. However, demand for environmental management services is seasonal, sporadic, and dispersed, raising questions of whether a jobs model, of regular if not full-time employment, is suited to the needs of this industry sector. We have found that the concept of sustainable livelihoods fits better to the aspirations of people in remote Australia. Outcomes from sustainable livelihoods are health, wellbeing and income for individuals and families, and enhanced assets, including natural resource condition. These help to buffer people and ecosystems against vulnerability to external shocks and stresses. Recognition of the value of traditional knowledge and associated customary law systems as part of sustainable livelihoods development is important to Aboriginal people s capacity to address various psycho-social determinants of good health, such as lack of control over one s life, social isolation and marginalisation. Our presentation will highlight a research-action partnership: the Anmatjere Kwaty project [pronounced An-mat-chera kwatch] or Cultural values of water in Anmatjere region, which is 200km north of Alice Springs. Recognition of cultural values in resource planning has meant different things to different parties. Over three years, Anmatyerr people, as part of the Cultural Values of Water Team, have developed a way to convey Anmatyerr values and rights that gives authority to customary laws for managing mer (land) and kwaty (water) which underpin traditional knowledge systems. This is a realistic model for the provision of Aboriginal values and rights in water management plans. This novel approach provides a way for both Aboriginal and other interests to work together at the interface of two systems of law and knowledge. The model involves awareness, skills exchange, reformed governance and culturally based livelihoods. It is a pathway relevant to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups who seek active participation and employment in the use and management of water and resources on traditional lands. This presentation draws on research supported by funding from the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres Programme through the Desert Knowledge CRC. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Desert Knowledge CRC or its Participants. Major funding support for the Anmatjere Kwatj project from Land and Water Australia, and further support from the Natural Heritage Trust and AIATSIS, are also gratefully acknowledged. 1

2 Applying traditional knowledge for sustainable livelihoods in environmental management 12 th Annual conference of Parliamentary Public Works and Environment Committees, Parliament House, Darwin 19 th September 2007 Dr Jocelyn Davies CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Alice Springs Dr Collins Gipey Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs Ms April Campbell Anmatjerr community Mr Ray Mulkatana Anmatjerr community Dr Naomi Rea Charles Darwin University, Darwin 2

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6 Photo: Jane Walker 6 Photo: Josie Douglas

7 Tracking bilby 7 Photo: Jane Walker

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9 9 Photo: Earthbound Consultants

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12 Photo: Earthbound Consultants 12

13 Photo: Harald Ehmann 13

14 Photo: Karissa Preuss 14

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17 JOBS STEP program STEP ERS EDUCATION Job Network WORK FOR THE DOLE CDEP participants 17

18 Photo: Jane Walker 18

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22 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural 22

23 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural Easiest to follow if you think about a person..and their family 23

24 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural We can summarise all the things that people generally want from their lives as health, well being and income Health Wellbeing Income 24

25 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural Health Wellbeing Income If people are getting these outcomes, it builds up their assets (which include natural resource condition, knowledge, culture ) 25

26 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural 26

27 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural Rules might come from: Government Culture Or family 27

28 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural Rules might come from: Government Culture Or family 28

29 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural Rules might come from: Government Culture Or family 29

30 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural 30

31 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Social Financial Natural Risks Assets Influence Rules Strategies Outcomes Human Physical Cultural Rules might come from: Government Culture Or family 31

32 Engagement in environmental management can have multiple benefits for Aboriginal landowners Outside Investment More Activity Improved Physical Health More Bush Food Land Management New Skills More Species Higher Income More Art Stronger Knowledge Educated Youth 32

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35 Applying traditional knowledge for sustainable livelihoods in environmental management Dr Jocelyn Davies CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Alice Springs Dr Collins Gipey Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs Ms April Campbell Anmatjerr community Mr Ray Mulkatana Anmatjerr community Dr Naomi Rea Charles Darwin University, Darwin 35

36 Providing for Anmatyerr Law and Knowledge in Kwaty (Water) Management The Anmatyerr Water Project Collins Gipey, Naomi Rea CDU April Campbell, Ray Mulkatana Anmatjere community 12th Annual conference of Parliamentary Public Works and Environment Committees, Parliament House, Darwin 19th September 2007

37 who has a stake in water resources of Central Australia?

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41 Second we show you ways water can be looked after - cultural provisions Water License or volumetric allocation - supports new and existing economies New arrangements & guidelines: jobs, language, governance

42 When water is used there is a Management Plan Everyone has the right to declare their interests and ask they be looked after Planning processes talk about Indigenous engagement, protocols and traditional knowledge Our aim is to find ways to convey to other people Anmatyerr rights and interests in water and to convince people to have them looked after

43 Management Plans say what is important to everyone (values) and how to look after this (provisions) We have to look at values and provisions together, otherwise there is no point

44 First we show you some reasons why water is important to us - cultural values

45 1 reason water is important Number 1 is Law and Culture This is our Management Plan for Kwaty Looking after what is important to us, is about supporting our Law and Culture Two Law s working alongside and working together when we need to

46 One way water can be looked after Livelihoods We speak best for our mer and kwaty through jobs Anmatyerr elders want young people working as managers of law and culture, and with others Through jobs we build networks mutual understanding knowledge of current and future issues

47 Livelihoods about country are the real hope for the future

48 Model pathway culturally based livelihoods Awareness Skills Identification of and Provision for Cultural Values of Water Livelihoods Governance

49 Livelihoods about country are the real hope for the future