Caring for Country

Balkanu is at the forefront of preserving and developing Aboriginal environmental management practices and fostering traditional knowledge. Over the past decade an extensive collection of electronic and digital information has been produced. The strategy which has evolved is to empower local communities with the know-how and technology to manage, preserve and protect their traditional knowledge of land, sea and cultural practices.

The evolution of ‘caring for country’ activities began in 1997 when the Cape York Land Council provided two secondees to undertake various activities including:

• fire management
• a feasibility study for harvesting beche-de-mere
• supporting sustainable management of dugong and turtle, and
• negotiating on behalf of traditional owners during the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

By 1999 Balkanu developed a sub-regional model for land and sea management that was funded and implemented throughout Cape York.

Balkanu secured representation on significant advisory groups, such as the Cape York Regional Advisory Group (CYRAG) and began to receive mainstream research funding.

Progressively Balkanu was recognised by the federal and state governments and began hosting positions and delivering projects of national significance.

In 2002 The Christensen Foundation and the federal government provided funds to support the Traditional Knowledge Recording Project (TKRP).

Responsibilities

The Caring for Country unit assists traditional owner groups manage natural and cultural resources on their traditional country. This is achieved by:

• supporting the recording and sharing of traditional knowledge
• articulating traditional owner aspirations
• assisting in developing policy positions based on these aspirations
• advocating these policy positions where necessary
• facilitating and managing projects to deliver policy objectives
• responding to policy and legislative developments that impact on traditional owner interests, and
• participating in forums and advisory committees including the Cape York Natural Heritage Trust and the Indigenous Land Management Facilitator Network.

2006 achievements

TKRP

• The TKRP methodology received national recognition and an allocation of funds in order to initiate the program in other Aboriginal communities.
• The TKRP database was upgraded to improve functionality.
• A TKRP package (computer hardware, the database, recording equipment, training and support) was delivered to the communities of Aurukun, Laura and Buru (China Camp).

Caring for country

Support was provided to traditional owners to restrict access to Low Lake (Lakefield National Park).
Cattle were excluded from Gno Coom (Saxby Waterhole) within Lakefield National Park.
Permits were obtained for traditional owners to undertake fire management that led to burning within Lakefield National Park for the first time in fifty years.

A case study was completed to assess the application of an Ecotrust concept to encourage economic opportunity while improving social and environmental conditions.

Products

• Balkanu produced and published the book and MP3 titled Norman Baird – a spark within. The full colour production features the life of Kuku Yalanji Anzac Norman Baird and some history of the Wujal Wujal community.
• Community partnerships resulted in the production of various TKRP products including Water We Know and After the Wet.

2007 priorities

TKRP

• Develop a business plan to extend TKRP’s commercial sustainability.
• Develop a training strategy, training manual and deliver training workshops.
• Deliver a TKRP package to Kalpowar and Shiptons Flat.
• Support eight Queensland communities to deliver projects based on the TKRP model, as funded through the NHT Strategic Reserve funds.
• Complete the Cultural Indicators for Water Values project to assess and manage water resources based on traditional Aboriginal values.
• Expand the TKRP internet site and increase opportunities for information sharing.
• Produce a documentary exploring the use of fire in everyday life and in land management practices.

Caring for country

• Modify the Caring for Country model to align it with the Cape York Agenda and incorporate broader input from Balkanu’s other units.
• Investigate opportunities to participate in the carbon emissions trading market.
• Undertake a GPS/GIS fire mapping trial with traditional owners in the Laura area with support from the Cape York Peninsula Development Association.
• Identify and promote opportunities to use traditional knowledge in the provision of environmental services to generate income.
• Complete the Cape York component of the NAILSMA Turtle and Dugong project; a community-driven approach to sustainable management.