The role of Indigenous ranger programs in restoring nature and community well-being
Details:
12:30 – 1:20 pm
5th of December
Room: 4N-120
Kate McInnes Community Ranger Coordinator / Diversionary Program Officer
Tim Schneider Incoming Executive Manager Country and Culture
Pauline Williams
KJ Ranger and Martu Leadership
Delilah Peterson
KJ Ranger and Women and Families
Lionel Judson
KJ Ranger
Winston Williams
KJ Ranger and Martu Leadership
As Indigenous ranger programs have grown around the country there has been a greater appreciation of traditional owners’ ecological knowledge and the role that it plays in looking after country and promoting well-being. The presentation will provide an example of how Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) and Martu traditional owners have used the ranger program to not only improve the health of country but also to build a suite of social programs that respond to Martu aspirations to live in both worlds. KJ is a Martu organisation based in Newman and operating across four remote Martu communities. Martu country spans parts of three deserts east of Newman and includes two native title determinations over approximately 20 million hectares. KJ’s focus on Martu culture as the core of its activities has meant that it has strongly engaged with a wide cross-section of Martu that live on or near country. Guided by its old people, KJ has built a reputation for innovation, Martu-led solutions which have had a positive impact. The presentation will explore how outdoor educators can play an important role in supporting Indigenous land and sea management if they acknowledge and work with the knowledge and strength of traditional owners.
About the Presenter
Kate has worked with KJ as a ranger coordinator for 3 years in Parnngurr and now in Kunawarritji, one of Australia’s most remote communities. Kate began her career in Outdoor Education and remains passionate about its benefits. Working in the outdoors led to further study of the environment, culminating in 13
years in local government working in the areas of environment and sustainability. Ranger coordinating in many ways is like coming back to Outdoor Education just with a lot more four wheel driving! It involves engaging and motivating rangers, nurturing teamwork and helping people push their boundaries and achieve their goals. Working alongside Martu in remote and stunning natural landscapes is the best job in the world.
Murti is from Kunawarritji and has been a ranger for 8 years. Being a ranger “Helped me out of lock-up (prison) and to stay on the right path.
Looking after country.” Murti likes being a ranger because he gets to go out and visit country, “it’s a freedom for us, in the country, open land.”
“When we are working in the land, we talk to our land as we pass through, every rock hole, soak, water. Because I feel it. Doctor told me my liver was no good, I
walked all the way back to my country and drank that water, and I felt good. He healed me. I went back to town, and the doctor said I was all good.”
Jawujana is a senior ranger in the Kunawarritji Ranger Team, he is also a Kunawarritji Community Director. His father’s country is in the Perceival Lakes area.
Pauline has been a ranger for 10 years and is from Kunawarritji. This is her father’s country, he was born at Well 33 on the Canning Stock Route. He told Pauline to look after country and to protect the whole area around Kunawarritji. Her grandfather’s country is Nyipily (Well 34) and her grandmother’s country is– Kinyu (Well 35), which is a sacred place for all Martu. Being a ranger is good because Pauline can look after country like the old people said. Pauline also likes being a ranger because she is away from town and in community. When Pauline first went to Perth to speak she was shaking but then kept doing it and got used to it and now she speaks up strong for country and Martu. You need to be strong for your kids and nyamukaja (grandkids). In the future Pauline wants her kids, nieces and nephews to be strong and to look after her grandfather’s country because it is a special place here in Kunawarritji, for all Martu.
Delilah Peterson was born in Kunawarritji. She grew up there, attending the school that she now works in. Delilah also works with the KJ Women and Families Program mentoring the students and jiji (children).
Tim has spent most of his professional life working as a ranger in different parts of Australia and been fortunate to work alongside community and first nations people in some of the most pristine land and sea country. He’s inspired seeing the men and
women working on the frontlines of conservation as he believes this is crucial to the future of a thriving planet.
For the last few years Tim has been the General Manager of the Thin Green Line Foundation. An organisation with international reach, committed to supporting the global ranger profession. He understands how important it is to support the men and women on the frontlines of conservation and the often-delicate balance between community needs, the environment and diminishing resources. In November, Tim returned to KJ as the General Manager for Culture and Country programs. Tim says many of his life lessons and much of his inspiration comes from time spent working alongside Martu when he first joined KJ in the early years of the ranger program in 2010. At that time his young family had the opportunity to grow up in Jigalong, a remote Martu community east of Newman. This time was life changing for the family and it is a big part of why they have returned to continue the journey
alongside Martu and to be a part of an organisation that he believes in.
