25 March 2010
Indigenous experts from
across north Australia launched an Indigenous Water Policy
Statement at a landmark event that took place at Parliament House
in Darwin on 24 March 2010.
Up to 80 people from Fitzroy
Crossing to Cape York attended this event which was hosted by
NAILSMA.
Speaking at the launch,
Professor Patrick Dodson stressed that this policy statement
provides a chance to get things right in the north - to include
Indigenous people in nation building, and make sure they are part
of the economic development of their land.
Joe
Morrison,
NAILSMA CEO said “This Policy Statement is a clear
declaration of the terms upon which Indigenous people want to be
engaged in water planning and reforms in the
north”.
Traditional Owners attending
the launch bought water from their regional catchments to be part
of a symbolic unification ceremony to demonstrate that Indigenous
communities across the north are standing together for water
rights.
“The Water Policy
Statement is a pragmatic approach by Indigenous people that is
addressed to governments to partner with us to tackle Indigenous
economic disadvantage” he said.
The Policy Statement builds
on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples as well as other statements relating to water reform, The
Garma International Indigenous Water Declaration and The Mary River
Statement.
The
Indigenous Water Policy Group is the only construct in the
north informing polices in the interests of its members and
advocating for the recognition of Indigenous rights to water for
customary and commercial purposes.
More
Information:
For full details about the
launch, and to download the Indigenous Water Policy Statement,
media releases, and other relevant information, go to http://www.nailsma.org.au/forum/water_policy_launch.html
