The SOCs are based on agreed engagement principles that acknowledge Ngarrindjeri traditional ownership and their interests in the specific management action. The SOCs also recognise and promote Ngarrindjeri perspectives pertaining to connectivity, called Ruwe / Ruwar and the belief that the CLLMM region was created during the Kaldowinyeri.

The SOCs also acknowledge that Ngarrindjeri management of the region had a significant role in the distribution of plants and animals across the landscape.

The SOC for the CLLMM Vegetation Management Plan Working Group seeks to establish opportunities for joint cultural landscape and biodiversity restoration planning and on ground works. Joint on-country visits, specialist heritage surveys and input from Ngarrindjeri Elders and DEWNR ecologists are being used to scope a joint plan for Kartoo Road, a section of Coorong National Park.

The inclusion of Ngarrindjeri Cultural Knowledge into the plan is protected by a Cultural Knowledge clause negotiated between the NRA and the State.

Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Innovations in Ngarrindjeri and Government Engagement

This project is part of the South Australian Government’s Murray Futures program funded by the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative. Copyright Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2012

The NPP works across the other CLLMM program management actions and is supporting core capacity within the NRA to ensure that traditional knowledge, skills and cultural values were preserved and appropriately incorporated into site management; supported the Ngarrindjeri people to participate in aspects of environmental governance in the region; protection and management of Ngarrindjeri cultural values of the site; and provided funding for Ngarrindjeri training and involvement in on-ground actions to deliver site outcomes.

Building Ngarrindjeri core capacity to Care for Yarluwar-Ruwe

The KNY Agreement was fundamental in ensuring the State acknowledged Ngarrindjeri interests in Caring for Country (natural and cultural resource management) and ensuring these interests were included in the planning, development and allocation of funding for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) program.

The Department of Environment , Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) and the NRA worked closely to develop the Ngarrindjeri Partnerships Project (NPP), one of nineteen management actions under the CLLMM program and its key Aboriginal engagement strategy.

Introduction

In 2009 the Ngarrindjeri nation in South Australia negotiated a new agreement with the State of South Australia that recognised traditional ownership of Ngarrindjeri lands and waters and established a process for negotiating and supporting Ngarrindjeri rights and responsibilities for country (Ruwe).

In line with Ngarrindjeri processes, it takes the form of a whole-of-government, contract agreement between the Ngarrindjeri nation and the State of South Australia.

Called a Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan agreement (KNY - Listen to what Ngarrindjeri have to say), it provides for a resourced, formal structure for meetings and negotiations between the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority (NRA) and government, universities and other non-Indigenous organisations.

NRA and DEWNR have developed a number of innovations in further supporting their partnership. Two working groups have been formed to support Ngarrindjeri engagement in the following CLLMM management actions: Monitoring and Adaptive Management Framework and Vegetation Program (planting, pest management and fencing). These working groups have developed Statements of Commitment (SOC) to frame the engagement and guide working group activities.

Ngarrindjeri leaders argue that non-Indigenous respect for Ngarrindjeri beliefs and traditions are fundamental to social justice and is crucial in programs aimed at positive community development and ‘closing the gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. In the 21st century, Ngarrindjeri have identified as a crucial challenge, the creation of a future centred on Caring for Country, which incorporates respect for traditions, cultural responsibility, self-determination and economic development.

NRA seeks to further its engagement across Government and research organisations using the SOC innovation. Further, it has developed a guideline for researchers interested in studying Ngarrindjeri Ruwe / Ruwar so they are more aware of, and better equipped to appropriately and effectively engage with Ngarrindjeri.

Acknowledgements: Lachlan Sutherland (DEWNR) and Rob Selfe (DEWNR) and Regina Durbridge (GWLAP)

Authors: Lachlan Sutherland (Department of Environment , Water and Natural Resources), Steve Hemming (Flinders University), Daryle Rigney (Flinders University)

The NRA includes in its vision for Ngarrindjeri people, the following overarching statement:

Our Lands, Our Waters, Our People, All Living Things are connected. We implore people to respect our Ruwe (Country) as it was created in the Kaldowinyeri (the Creation). We long for sparkling, clean waters, healthy land and people and all living things. We long for the Yarluwar-Ruwe (Sea Country) of our ancestors. Our vision is all people Caring, Sharing, Knowing and Respecting the lands, the waters and all living things.(Ngarrindjeri Nation 2006:5)

The KNY Agreement has been the basis for facilitating new partnerships and engagement initiatives between the NRA and the State.

Engagement Innovations Statements of Commitment

To the futureTalking about different knowledge & perspectives

A key component of the SOC for the CLLMM Monitoring and Adaptive Management action is to support Ngarrindjeri participation in research and monitoring. For example, the working group established as part of this SOC has facilitated Ngarrindjeri engagement with CSIRO in undertaking Acid Sulfate Soil (ASS) monitoring in the Lower Lakes.

Another component of the SOC has been the need to discuss the differences between knowledge traditions and perspectives of Ngarrindjeri and the research and monitoring community undertaking work in the CLLMM region. Cultural heritage inductions have been delivered with over 50 environmental scientists from a range of organisations and levels of government. The one day induction programs have built the scientists’ awareness of Ngarrindjeri heritage, history, culture and perspectives.

The CLLMM Ngarrindjeri Partnerships Project has supported the NRA to establish the Ngarrindjeri Yarluwar-Ruwe (Sea-Country) Program (NY-RP).

The purpose of the Ngarrindjeri Yarluwar – Ruwe (NY-R) Program is to: support coordinated development and implementation of Caring for Country and Heritage activities within Ngarrindjeri country; provide a forum for engagement and discussion of Caring for Country and Heritage activities; provide advice to and respond to requests from relevant NRA and external bodies; promote the NRA and it activities; and support the NRA in achieving it goals.

Yarluwar-Ruwe Program

© DEWNR: Mark’s Point, Coorong National Park

© DEWNR: Joint on-country meeting at Kartoo Road, Coorong National Park© DEWNR: Joint on-country survey of Reedy Island, Lake Alexandrina

© Regina Durbridge: Uncle Tom Trevorrow informing participants about Ngarrindjeri plant uses, Bonney Reserve.

© DEWNR: Raymond Rigney at NRA’s Murray Bridge nursery.

© DEWNR: Ngarrindjeri Certificate 3 Conservation and Land Management graduates.