North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance

Transcription

1 North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance National Water Commission Seminar Canberra, August 26th 2010 Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network Coordinator: Hugh Wallace Smith Acknowledgements and thanks

2 What is NAILSMA? An Alliance Board members from peak Indigenous organisations across north Australia with a mandate to facilitate partnerships with a philosophy Looking after our country our way with Indigenous leadership CEO Joe Morrison, Indigenous non-government organisation

3 NAILSMA s Vision A northern Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are fully recognized and benefit from their long-standing connection, dedication, obligations and management of their traditional estates on behalf of all Australians.

4 A culture based economy approach

5 What is a culture-based economy? Is an economy that builds on Indigenous culture, knowledge and connection to country and that supports their ongoing maintenance whilst creating genuine opportunities for employment, income and business development. or. Looking after our country our way

6 Indigenous Rights and Interests Indigenous people have a significant stake in land management practices in northern Australia almost 50% in the north. own about 50% of the land in the Top End NT. Source: Altman et. al. (2007) Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research. ANU

7 Asserting Indigenous water rights Lingiari Foundation - published Onshore and Offshore water rights discussion booklets - February Two years prior to the National Water Initiative (2004) Patrick Dodson the Lingiari Foundation

8 Background to NAILSMA Indigenous Water Resource Management Program National Water Initiative (2004) warned of changes in Commonwealth Government Water policy. So. NAILSMA reprinted the 2002 Lingiari Water Rights booklets and energised indigenous Water Talk across northern Australia NAILSMA S Scoping study (2006) found many Indigenous communities didn t know about Governments plans. Indigenous Water Policy Group formed (2006) and evolved into Indigenous Water Resource Management Program (2006)

9 How does the Water Program work? The program is made up of 3 complimentary sub-projects that work towards ensuring the Indigenous voice on water is heard and incorporated into the new water laws that are being made by governments. The program is overseen by the Indigenous Water Policy Group.

10 How is the Water Program Funded? By the National Water Commission (NWC) through its Raising National Water Standards Program. The Program is guided by Indigenous Interests and the National Water Initiative. NAILSMA reports to NWC through a milestone reporting framework.

11 Water Program has 3 sub-projects? 1. Indigenous Water Policy Group 2. Sustainable Enterprises -TRaCK Theme 6 Research 3. Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network....

12 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network where does it operate? 6 key catchments across the north where development is likely.

13 What do Water Facilitators do? Develop water networks Facilitate the integration of Indigenous interests with stakeholders interests. Advance indigenous engagement in research and management. I want to make sure cultural expectations are included in water plans. Annette Kogolo Fitzroy River WA Act as a vehicle so community interests are articulated at the policy level. Liaise with State & Territory Governments (NT example)

14 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2008 July - project commenced negotiate contracts staff recruitment (ongoing) establish teams (ongoing) Info & resource collection office set up, equipment skills development (ongoing)

15 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2009 cont. Developed work programs established on ground networks ICWFN workshops, IWPG meetings Cairns & Broome Held community meetings to introduce project and water issues Communication strategy commenced, initial products developed/distributed Commenced Indigenous Water database concept & development David Newry Importance of Translation Service Worksho Darwin March 2010

16 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2009 cont. ongoing ICWFN Workshops & IWPG meetings - Darwin continued work with TRaCK on engagement & projects; some key examples include; o Mitchell Catchment research/governance workshops, o Power Tools and decision making with Daly ARG o River Change stories in lower Fitzroy River region

17 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2009 cont. Provided support and facilitation - Northern Australian Indigenous Water Experts Forum Mary River Assisted with delivery of Northern Taskforce & CSIRO introductions across northern Australia. Sonia Leonard and Waubin Aken assist with facilitation Mary River Forum August 2009

18 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2010 Regional approaches continue to vary to suit regions Some Water Facilitators continue to use existing frameworks eg Mitchell, Daly and Fitzroy Aboriginal Reference Groups Others set up new frameworks eg o Wenlock, Gulf, Ord/Keep River Art water stories - Keep River Back to Country trip, East Kimberley July 2010 facilitator Sonia Leonard

19 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2010 cont. Supported IWPG Water Policy launch at Darwin in March ICWFN Workshops Darwin, Kowanyama Continue working with TRaCK on engagement/projects Communication products developed and distributed eg o web, e-news, project news, video story reports Rodney Whitfield and Jeremy Wilson develop story recording skills Kowanyama July 2010

20 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Achievements 2010 cont. Discussions and meetings with communities about water issues IWPG involvement Dealing with regional dynamics Informing strategic directions * ICWFN International River Symposium Climate Change Talk Keep River July 2010 * Indigenous Guidelines for Water Allocation Planning

21 By 2011 Indigenous Community Water Facility Network Regional water strategies Better practice engagement guidelines Indigenous research priorities Governance and decision making guidelines Completion dates: ICWFN ICWFN Coordinator Future Planned Outputs Indigenous Water Database Monitoring and evaluation of ICWFN Reports on experiences learnt and future recommendations Collaborative research projects Papers published Indigenous guidelines for water planning ICWF meeting Kowanyama - July 2010

22 What do Indigenous voices say? We have cultural responsibilities for water Our water is part of our native title... Land and Water cannot be separated Ensure that we are fully informed and participate in water planning.

23 Indigenous concerns expressed: (some) We are not stakeholders; we are rightful custodians Indigenous laws will be unrecognised Our cultural, social and economic interests won t be considered Western law will separate water from land Water is a limited resource We ll be further marginalised from our land and sea country We won t be appropriately consulted We won t be involved with all decisions North Australia is completely different to down south

24 Recommendations made: (some) There should be new ways of dealing with government The UN Declaration for Rights of Indigenous People set the benchmark for developing new frameworks Dealings must be based on free, prior and informed consent Indigenous knowledge needs to be integrated with better western science Indigenous issues are fully investigated Native Title Act is amended to provide for water as an economic use right Water management includes cultural uses, environmental flows, consumptive and commercial uses Allocation is linked to best practice, sustainable, efficient and accurate data

25 From little things big things grow. Northern Land and Water Task Force report included Mary River Statement recommendations NAILSMA Indigenous Water Policy Statement launched and distributed widely Indigenous people in the north are Standing Together for Water Rights We are ready to engage in water research, policy and planning

26 Standing Together for Water Rights Water laws that reflect indigenous interests will bring health, economic, cultural, environmental and social benefits to Indigenous communities in years to come. We don t want younger generations to live with the same hardship we older ones did. Ron Archer, IWPG member Qld This is a unique opportunity to get the relationship right, one that empowers Indigenous people to lead in the north.

27 How to make it happen Proper engagement and consultation with Indigenous people. Indigenous people do not see themselves as stakeholders but at sitting at the table of decision makers. Indigenous people need to be involved in leading research policy and agendas and contributing leadership in all water planning and management decisions Indigenous knowledge should be recognised along side western science Create new dialogue for business with positive social and economic outcomes for Indigenous people

28 Anne Poelina Final words Launch speech - Indigenous Water Policy Statement NAILSMA IWPG Parliament House Darwin, March 2010

29 NAILSMA Water Team Several NAILSMA staff have Water Program responsibilities: Joe Morrison (NAILSMA CEO and Water Team Coordinator) Lorrae McArthur (IWPG Coordinator) Hugh Wallace Smith (ICWFN Coordinator) Robin McGillivray (Water Communications Project Officer) Kalem Ronberg (Water Project Officer) - vacant Michael Storrs (TRaCK Theme 6) vacant Samara Earlandson (Project Management support) Janely Seah (Finance) Claudia Leutjens and Jessica Lew Fatt (Admin support)

30 Contact details Hugh Wallace Smith Coordinator, NAILSMA s Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network (ICWFN) Phones: , mob: Fax: hugh.wallacesmith@cdu.edu.au NAILSMA website: