| Caring for Country Business Unit |
The Caring for Country (CFC) and Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways (TKRP) are two key units within Balkanu that take on the responsibility to strengthen and preserve Cape York indigenous traditions and culture. They support social and private enterprise development for communities in Cape York through Land and Sea management, applying Aboriginal traditional knowledge methodology to care for and protect the distinctive environment of Cape York.
Balkanu work in this arena is funded through a combination of grants, donations and government funding. Mid 2009, our partner Land Trusts and Balkanu successfully applied for Working on Country funding to Dept of Environment, Water Heritage and Arts (DEWHA) to deliver ranger services program for
Balkanu Working on Country Ranger programs commenced in August 2009 with a tri-partnering agreement with DEWHA and the relevant Traditional Owner groups –
The objective of each service is to provide ecological and land resource management services for the respective Traditional Lands through a combination of western and Traditional Practices.
Balkanu will assist the Traditional Owner groups to build both Land Resource management and enterprise capacity within their organisations to ensure ongoing sustainable businesses in Natural Resource management. Over 30 full-time rangers have been employed and Balkanu coordinates training for the rangers to acquire skills for providing ranger services in the delivery of Land Resource Management expertise to other Landowners in Cape York. In addition to the Balkanu also supported the Yuku-Baja-Maliku people in successfully securing Working on Country funding (Ranger service for their Country at Archer Point just south of Cooktown). Balkanu Caring for Country unit are working closely with the Yuku-Baja-Muliku people in terms of enterprise & ranger setup, mentoring, purchasing and operational admin support. Balkanu are currently assisting the Ranger Services to establish internal governance and compliance such as Occupational Health & Safety; develop systems to administer and report on funding; and look at ways to economically develop the country and provide financial returns and jobs for their people. Our support program to the various traditional owners clans and their land trusts in the development of a range of land and sea management projects has injecting a over a million dollars into the Cape York economy during the 2009/2010 fiscal year Caring for Country unit continues to support the Cape York Fire Abatement project. Feasibility assessments on carbon abatement opportunities from traditional burning practices and reafforestation, etc are currently been conducted. Coen Lighthouse Projects
Together with the Coen welfare reform program, Balkanu assist with implementation of Welfare Reform initiatives in the region. Balkanu facilitates forums with Traditional Land Owners and regional groups to develop a consolidated Natural Resources Management plan to develop sustainable land and sea management arrangements. Successful lighthouse projects include,
Balkanu Traditional Knowledge Recording ServiceThe Balkanu Traditional Knowledge Recording (TKR) Service supports Aboriginal people on Cape York to record their old people on-country as they share traditional cultural knowledge. Balkanu TKR
In 2010 the TKR Service has coordinated a number of projects including the 'Muramanka' Indigenous Rangers Conference, a cultural event attended by more than 300 Indigenous leaders, rangers and others over 4 days on Kuku Nyungkal Our achievements in 2010 include
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The Caring for Country (CFC) and Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways (TKRP) are two key units within Balkanu that take on the responsibility to strengthen and preserve Cape York indigenous traditions and culture. They support social and private enterprise development for communities in Cape York through Land and Sea management, applying Aboriginal traditional knowledge methodology to care for and protect the distinctive environment of Cape York.
Balkanu has been working with individuals, families, group and Indigenous clans to build new business, build the foundations on management of their country, develop specific land trust support activities in the Coen region.
