Traditional Owners and Indigenous land managers from across western Queensland came together recently for the Inaugural Salt to Dust Western Queensland Traditional Owner Workshop.
Held at Dugalunji Camp, Camooweal in June 2009, this workshop was the result of collaboration between Southern Gulf Catchments, Desert Channels Queensland and South West NRM, bringing together Traditional Owners and providing a forum to build capacity, network and learn from a diverse range of presenters about issues, initiatives and research that support Traditional Owners’ participation in and decision-making about country, culture and community.
The concept of holding a collaborative ‘one-stop-workshop’ was born out of bridging challenges facing regional bodies servicing northern and remote Australia through strategic, cost-effective and culturally appropriate practices. While building upon the partnerships that have long connected and bound Aboriginal people of western Queensland in social, trade, lore and ceremonial practices and traditions.
Over 75 people attended the three day workshop, deemed a success by participants and presenters alike. Traditional Owners were presented with topical and relevant information around the four broad themes of Cultural Heritage Management, Caring for Country, Water for Life, and New Knowledge and Research. Participants and presenters came from Girringun and Myuma Aboriginal Corporations, universities, Queensland and Australian Government departments, Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, Lake Eyre Basin and Great Artesian Basin Advisory Committees, and the resources industry.
The agenda included ‘Yarning Circles’, designed to give presenters and participants the opportunity for informal yet focused discussion and question time, and cultural activities with stone tool-making, painting and field trips to Camooweal Caves National Park and upper Georgina River with the Elders that speak and care for that country.
Bringing people together and sharing experiences, issues and learning from one another was cited as being a key outcome that was most beneficial and empowering for participants. Presentations about the Delbessie Agreement, Traditional Knowledge Recording and Indigenous Protected Areas were also popular.
In western Queensland, working together for land management across vast landscapes is the Aboriginal way and the spiritual way and with the support of the regional natural resource management group process, Traditional Owners can continue to develop their connections, knowledge and practices associated with good land management.
Photograph: Colin Saltmere demonstrates his knapping techniques.
13 November 2009
