Project Code

ARO1

Project Leader

Dates: Project completed in 2007

Key Findings

The research that has taken place since 2000 is making a significant contribution to Indigenous engagement in NRM. In particular, it is generating and applying knowledge and methods that are leading to the formation of trust in relationships, the prerequisite for effective NRM.

This synthesis concludes that cross-cultural NRM research is resource intensive, particularly the investment of time in establishing the trusting relationships which lead to effective co-research and co-management in NRM.

A key outcome is the collaboration occurring between Indigenous communities, many of Australia's leading scientists from across disciplines, lawyers, historians, policy makers, NRM practitioners and artists is leading to integrated actions and solutions to NRM challenges on Indigenous lands.

The research is also contributing to increased capacity for Indigenous NRM at national, regional, catchment and local community levels.

This synthesis identifies research outcomes under four key themes:

1. Values and methods for effective engagement of Indigenous Australians in NRM and knowledge management
2. Implications for developing and implementing NRM policy in Indigenous Australia
3. The nexus between land, water and health of Aboriginal people, and
4. Developing Indigenous livelihoods through NRM.

� Establishing, building and maintaining relationships must be adequately resourced because relationships are central to Indigenous values and the trust gained through participatory projects is critical to success.

� More effective governance arrangements, management models and engagement strategies are needed. At present, Indigenous people are challenged to articulate their cultural relationship with land and water in policy development, program design and project implementation.

� Indigenous values are mostly non-market in nature. This poses critical management challenges in a policy environment that places emphasis on 'market' solutions. Priorities set by Aboriginal land managers tend to be very integrated across social, environmental and economic factors and could add significant value to current models of sustainability.

� The core aspect of sustainability for Indigenous natural resource managers is inter-generational equity/continuity. It is only through application that Indigenous knowledge will retain its relevance and thus be perpetuated by future generations.

� Land, law, culture and language are inseparable for Aboriginal peoples. Each language links specifically to 'country'.

� New cultural appropriate designs developed through participatory processes are needed for Indigenous business. One model will not fit all emergent Indigenous natural resource-based enterprise developments.

� The CDEP scheme is an integral part of several land management strategies such as Caring for Country and Ranger programs. Current modifications to the scheme may threaten its potential to support such programs.

Key Recommendations

� Establishing, building and maintaining relationships must be adequately resourced because relationships are central to Indigenous values and the trust gained through participatory projects is critical to success.

� More effective governance arrangements, management models and engagement strategies are needed. At present, Indigenous people are challenged to articulate their cultural relationship with land and water in policy development, programme design and project implementation.

� Indigenous values are mostly non-market in nature. This poses critical management challenges in a policy environment that places emphasis on 'market' solutions. Priorities set by Aboriginal land managers tend to be very integrated across social, environmental and economic factors and could add significant value to current models of sustainability.

� The core aspect of sustainability for Indigenous natural resource managers is inter-generational equity and continuity. It is only through its application that Indigenous knowledge will retain its relevance and be perpetuated by future generations.

� Land, law, culture and language are inseparable for Aboriginal people. Each language links specifically to 'country'.

� New culturally appropriate designs developed through participatory processes are needed for Indigenous business. One model will not fit all emergent Indigenous enterprise developments based on natural resources.

� The CDEP scheme is an integral part of several land management strategies such as Caring for Country and Ranger programs. Current modifications to the scheme may threaten its potential to support such programmes.

Future Research

� Consolidate and institutionalise the new investments in ICNRM which this research demonstrates are likely to provide benefits in multiple policy domains.

� Ensure additional investments incorporate adequate capacity building in management, using a process in which both successes and failures are used for learning.

� Quantify other ancillary benefits of ICNRM to expand the proof of concept beyond physical health and the environment. In particular describe the impact of engagement in ICNRM on educational, economic, employment, governance and judicial indicators as well as mental health. This would help determine whether involvement in ICNRM can be considered an integrative force in Indigenous policy.

� Obtain a deeper understanding of the relationship between residence on outstations and ICNRM and its ancillary benefits, particularly a comparison between investment in ICNRM in very remote areas and other types of policy delivery.

� Develop national indicators for involvement in ICNRM that can be reported alongside those that measure Indigenous disadvantage and the State of the Environment.

For further information, please contact:

Social and Institutional Research Program

Land & Water Australia
GPO Box 2182
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6263 6000
Email: enquiries@lwa.gov.au