Walking Together, Working Together

Landcare in a Cultural Landscape to Care for Country together. For all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Collaborations - LP017_R006

The issue

Holbrook Landcare Network(HLN) acknowledge our community is established on First Nations People's land and recognize that their cultural values and knowledge are critical to improving land, water, biodiversity and community cohesion. We also recognize that we have not done enough in the past to make this happen and wish to change. It takes a community with ongoing relationships and a shared future to care for and connect to Country responsibly, and healthy Country, fosters healthy people, culture and communities.

The solution

The Landcare in a Cultural Landscape, Walking Together-Working Together project seeks to broaden our perspective through relationships, education, experiences, policies and guidelines for how HLN will walk together and work together with local First Nations’ People. By using traditional cultural values of collaboration, commitment, inclusiveness, shared responsibility and opportunity embedded into all levels of Landcare, we wish to build true partnerships with Wiradjuri, Ngarigo, Waveroo and Wolgalu peoples, the traditional owners of the lands where we live and work. First Nation’s People should be a fundamental part of our organization, as partners, members and staff.

This project assists HLN staff, board and members to grow their awareness, appreciation, and cultural sensitivity. In this way we will bring the practices, discussions, and real-life actions into Landcare groups at a local level helping to shine the light on historical misunderstandings, exclusions and injustice and expand the toolkit for HLN to respectfully form long-term, culturally-safe partnerships with local First Nations' Peoples.

The impact

We believe that working together to Care for Country will help us restore and reconnect our lands and all of its peoples. We seek to embed Cultural Land Management Values into our Landcare ethos. Ongoing relationships with First Nations Peoples will allow Two Way Caretaking of Cultural Materials and land, embracing Australia’s First Nations Peoples’ culture and show a way for how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.