Helping Farmers to Identify Cultural Sites
Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in collaboration with the Balranald Aboriginal Lands Council and local community group Balranald Inc. have produced a DVD to provide guidance to farmers in the identification of Aboriginal Cultural Sites of Significance on the land.
"Farmers - Aboriginals, Sharing our Heritage" tells the story of the Lowbidgee Aboriginal Cultural Mapping Project conducted in 2011-12 where participants from the local Indigenous community were employed to work in conjunction with local farmers to identify, record, photograph and map cultural sites on 11 properties throughout the Balranald Shire.
The DVD, launched by NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson during the Henty Machinery Field Days, highlights the heritage values shared by landholders and Aboriginal people and demonstrates how these groups can work together to preserve and protect cultural sites.
Besides the recording and GPS mapping of the sites, a number of additional benefits were also gained from the project. Not only did the Aboriginal participants develop new skills through on ground experience and training, they gained new found confidence and self-esteem, along with mutual respect and developing relationships with the landholders and the local community.
Also available is an informative brochure "Identifying Cultural Sites on the Land", a guide to help landholders to identify possible cultural sites that may be of significance and can be later verified in consultation with local Aboriginal Land Council representatives.
The Lowbidgee Aboriginal Cultural Mapping Project, the "Farmers-Aboriginals Sharing our Heritage" DVD and the "Identifying Cultural Sites on the Land" brochure were funded by the Australian Government Caring for Our Country program and the Murrumbidgee CMA and are available from Murrumbidgee CMA offices.
View Farmers - Aboriginals, Sharing our Culture DVD below and here to view the Identifying Cultural Sites on the Land brochure
Returning to Country and Culture
This movie showcases the Murrumdidgee CMA's highly successful Traditional Owner River Restoration projects, empowering local Indigenous people to reconnect with 'Country' through training and employment in natural resource management.
Get a glimpse into the work of a team based in Wagga Wagga and see first hand how they are transforming the weed-infested banks of the Murrumbidgee River, and in turn, transforming their own loves.
The Murrumbidgee CMA extends its thanks to the Wagga Wagga Traditional Owner Restoration Team and Flo Grant for sharing their experiences for this movie.
The Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is working with Traditional Owners and others in the Aboriginal community through the Murrumbidgee Traditional Custodians Advisory Group. The objective of the group is to build projects and programs that enhance the involvement of Traditional Owners in Natural Resource Management in the Murrumbidgee catchment.
The Murrumbidgee CMA aims to:
- Build the capacity of the Traditional Owners community to be actively involved in natural resource activities in the catchment.
- Increase awareness and recognition of Aboriginal values in the landscape.
Queanbeyan Traditional Owner River Restoration Rap
