Building Connections
Building Connections
An online get-together to build and strengthen connections between Aboriginal people and Landcare groups in south east NSW
Collaborations -
LP031-005
The issue
There is a great need and opportunity to build and strengthen connections between Landcare and Aboriginal people. It is a natural fit in many ways: Landcare groups invariably work on Aboriginal land; many Aboriginal people want to have access to country, to share their knowledge and experiences, to be involved and be heard; and non-Aboriginal people involved with Landcare increasingly appreciate the value of Aboriginal land management practices.
The solution
During a conversation between a few people at the end of the South East muster in 2021, we decided that a good place to start would be to hear from people who have built good Aboriginal - Landcare relationships and projects in our region, so that we could learn from each other. We decided to organise an online event to do this. We put out a call for people who wanted to be involved, discussed the plan with others, and took on-board suggestions about how to organise it and who to invite. In September 2021, we hosted the Zoom get-together to hear stories about 'Landcare people working with Aboriginal people and Aboriginal people working with Landcare in the South-East'. We heard from five speakers, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and also had an open discussion. About 25 people participated, and it was brilliantly chaired by Craig Aspinall.
The impact
Topics ranged from the cultural practice of cool burning, to looking after cultural sites, to making appropriate spaces to sit and talk. The speakers covered the importance of cool burning for both cultural practice and medicine, and of involving the whole community, including children. We learnt about the importance of listening to Aboriginal knowledge about cultural practices, many of which are intangible; and the responsibility of looking after cultural sites, including burial sites and special trees. One of the speakers said that many landholders are keen to learn more and have great respect for Aboriginal knowledge, but there is a challenge in knowing who are the right people to talk to. We heard from people from Kangaroo Valley, who were motivated by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the impact of the 2019/20 bushfires. The community was energised to engage with local Aboriginal people, to be guided by them and to begin the journey to properly acknowledge Indigenous people's history and presence in the valley. By having more of these discussions we can continue to do the important work of creating trust and understanding so that we can be guided more often by indigenous people who speak for their country.
Key facts
- There is a great need and opportunity to build and strengthen connections between Landcare and Aboriginal people.
- In September 2021, we organised an online get-together to share stories and inspiration about how to build and strengthen relationships between Landcare and Aboriginal people in South East NSW
- By having more of these discussions we can continue to do the important work of creating trust and understanding so that we can be guided more often by indigenous people who speak for their country.