Indigenous communities

Recent meetings on the draft Basin Plan

Aboriginal connection to the Murray–Darling Basin

How MDBA works with Aboriginal people in the Murray–Darling Basin

Recent meetings on the draft Basin Plan

During the 20 week consultation period the MDBA travelled to 30 towns and Aboriginal missions across the Basin to talk with Aboriginal people. MDBA staff were accompanied by local Indigenous people who put the word out about our visit. In each town MDBA staff provided technical and policy information and independent consultants provided assistance for Aboriginal people to prepare submissions in an informal and familiar environment.

The team were in each town for up to 5 days.

A Yarn on the River: Getting Aboriginal Voices into the Basin Plan was a great talking point over the 20 weeks.

The consultation sessions were based in Cunnamulla, Menindee, Broken Hill, Warwick, Deniliquin, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill, Barmah and Deniliquin missions, Dubbo, Tamworth, Mildura, Robinvale, Dareton, St George, Charleville, Moree, Boggabilla, Lightning Ridge, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Lake Cargelligo, Glossop, Gerard, Bourke and Wilcannia.

During the consultation period a number of joint Northern Murray–Darling Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN) and Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) meetings were held. These meetings provided delegates the opportunity to discuss and write submissions individually and as a joint collective.

In recognition of the importance of having Aboriginal voices heard during the formal consultation period the MDBA funded, or offered to fund, a number of Aboriginal organisations to consult with their constituents about the draft Basin Plan and to develop submissions. Subsequently, submissions were received from; New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, Native Title Services Victoria and eight Aboriginal Nations and Clan groups from Victoria.

Over 420 submissions from Aboriginal people or organisations were received on the draft Basin Plan.

Thank you to all community members for your assistance and enthusiasm at our meetings across the Basin.

Figure: MLDRIN and NBAN joint gathering on the draft Basin Plan, Canberra, 13–14 December 2011.

Aboriginal connection to the Murray–Darling Basin

Aboriginal people within the Murray–Darling Basin talk of how the rivers sustain their life and identity. Aboriginal people not only view water as inextricably connected to the land and rivers, but also view themselves as an integral part of the river system. It is because of this holistic understanding and connection that Indigenous people feel a strong responsibility for the health of rivers.

Cultural flows

The term cultural flows translates the complex relationship described above into the language of water planning and management.

The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and the Northern Murray–Darling Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN) have developed and agreed a definition of cultural flows as:

Water entitlements that are legally and beneficially owned by the Indigenous Nations and are of a sufficient and adequate quantity and quality to improve the spiritual, cultural, environmental, social and economic conditions of those Indigenous Nations. This is our inherent right.

Aboriginal people from across the Basin are asking that cultural flows be provided to sustain their on-going cultural practices and relationship with their country. Cultural flows have potential benefits for Aboriginal people, such as improved health, wellbeing and empowerment from being able to care for their country and undertake cultural activities.

Cultural flows will also provide benefits for the wider community in the form of more comprehensive and holistic environmental outcomes.

The National Cultural Flows Planning and Research Committee has commenced work on a research program to satisfy the need for more information on cultural flows. In particular, it will use case studies to identify Indigenous water values and uses, and volumes of water that provide for those values and uses. The outcomes of the research program will inform future refinements of the Basin Plan.

How MDBA works with Aboriginal people in the Murray–Darling Basin

The MDBA supports Traditional Owners to develop their capacity to effectively participate in Basin planning and other natural resource management processes.

MLDRIN and NBAN

The MDBA works closely with self-determining independent Indigenous organisations the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and the Northern Murray–Darling Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN.)

MLDRIN and NBAN contribute to the development of the Basin Plan and more broadly provide an Aboriginal perspective on natural resource management and cultural issues in the Murray–Darling Basin. NBAN and MLDRIN share a common aim to seek greater recognition and respect for Aboriginal knowledge and values regarding land and water management.

The chair of MLDRIN and the Deputy Chair of NBAN sit on the MDBA Basin Community Committee and its Indigenous Water Sub-Committee which provides advice to the Basin Community Committee and the Authority.

The Living Murray Indigenous Partnerships Project

The Living Murray (TLM) Indigenous Partnerships Project is a vital component of the consultation and communication for the Living Murray Initiative. The aim of the project is to ensure that Indigenous community knowledge, values and perspectives are considered in each of the Icon Site management plans. The project employs Indigenous Facilitators and Indigenous Cultural Heritage Monitors who work with Icon Site Managers to fulfil the program objectives.

The Indigenous Partnerships Project plan was developed with and strongly endorsed by MLDRIN.

During 2010-11 Indigenous Facilitators consulted with Traditional Owners on TLM works and measures to ensure significant cultural sites are identified and protected.

Use-and-Occupancy Mapping

Use-and-Occupancy mapping is a type of map survey that uses a rigorous, well-considered social-science methodology that has been widely implemented in Canada. It is a scientifically defendable technique that will help Indigenous people document the many ways in which they currently use land and water.

Use-and-Occupancy mapping identifies and records the spiritual, cultural, environmental, social and economic interests of Indigenous people in today’s environment. Maps resulting from programs to date have been used by traditional owners to support their input into cultural and natural resource management negotiations and planning. The maps will also assist traditional owner input to monitoring the impacts of The Living Murray initiative and other research projects.

The introduction of Use-and-Occupancy mapping followed a strict process of free and prior consent involving MLDRIN and the Yorta Yorta nation.

The MDBA has recently worked closely with NBAN on two Use-and-Occupancy mapping projects.

River Country Spirit Ceremony (Murrundi Ruwe Pangari Ringbalin)

In both April 2010 and April 2011 the MDBA worked with Ngarrindjeri Elder Major Sumner, to bring people together to dance and heal the spirit of the river for the River Country Spirit Ceremony. Together they journeyed from Murra Murra to the Murray mouth. Along the way they told their stories about their river country.

The MDBA produced a short film about the ceremony and what the river country means to Indigenous people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqrRfyVNqIo

River Country Spirit Ceremony, 2010