Indigenous Water Policy 11th Meeting - 23-24 March 2010
Water can no longer be examined in
isolation
The NAILSMA Indigenous Water Policy Group (IWPG) convened in Darwin
at the Parliament House for its 11th meeting on the 23rd and 24th
March. The IWPG spent two days in discussions on Indigenous water
resource management.
The first day of the meeting was spent reviewing its current
program and deliberating on a strategic vision for short and long
term direction toward core business goals.
NAILSMA through its IWPG is working toward a strategic approach
that integrates land and water resource management. Water can no
longer be examined in isolation based on several meetings hosted by
NAILSMA. This principle is one of a number of principles that
have been adopted by the IWPG from the Mary
River Statement, which was issued in August 2009.
An integrated land and water vision will be a step toward
implementing this principle in its business approach.
Photo: Some of the delegates at the meeting: Nolan Hunter,
Richard Ah Mat, Richard Jenkins, Mona Liddy, Pat Dodson
Indigenous Water Policy Launched - 24th
March 2010
On the second morning of the meetings (24th March), NAILSMA
launched its recently issued (November 2009) water policy
statement.
Up to 80 people from across the north of Australia convened at the
Parliament House in Darwin to participate in the formal
launch of a North
Australian Indigenous Water Policy Statement. The Statement
pitches Indigenous interests relating to water reform to
commonwealth, state and territory government agencies.
The launch was sponsored by Karl Hampton, NT Minister for Natural
Resources, Environment and Heritage and attended by the Hon.
Malarndirri MacCarthy, NT Minister for Indigenous Development. Joe
Ross, Chair of the IWPG facilitated the launch that included
speakers from the Northern Land Council, Kim Hill, NAILSMA deputy
Chair, Richie Ah Mat, Elaine Gardiner (National Water Commission)
and senior Indigenous leader, Professor Patrick Dodson. The meeting
was welcomed by Donna Jackson from the Larrakia Nation.
Anne Poelina, member of the IWPG, formally launched the Policy
Statement, which was followed by a water ceremony signifying unity
among northern Indigenous people for water rights. The event ended
with a short water story documentary prepared and presented by
Traditional Owners from the Miriuwung Gajerrong groups of the
Kimberley region of WA, and an address by senior elder Bill Harney
from Wardamann people of the NT.
For more information about the Policy Statement and it's
implications, watch the NT Stateline report - Indigenous Water
Ownership: http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/03/26/2857701.htm
Photo: Mona Liddy (Daly River region, NT) Chris Griffiths (east
Kimberley region, WA) Murrandoo Yanner (southern Gulf region, Qld)
Robbie Salee and Bernard Charlie (Cape York region, Qld) taking
part in the Water Policy Unification Ceremony
Opportunities to implement policy statement
examined
Following the launch the IWPG reconvened with its Policy Engagement
Group (PEG), which is made up of key representatives of state and
territory water agencies.
The outcomes to that meeting were for further consideration of the
Water Policy Statement and identifying opportunities for
governments and Indigenous people to work forward to implement some
of the strategies out lined in the Policy Statement.
Photo: Some attendees of the second day of the 11th IWPG meeting
in Darwin, March 2010. The group included IWPG members, Policy
Engagement Group (PEG), Water Facilitators, Daly River and Adelaide
River representatives, guests, advisors and NAILSMA support
staff.
Enlarged this image: www.nailsma.org.au/projects/water_policy.html
Thanks
Thanks to Donna Jackson of the Larrakia Nation for welcoming us to
country and to senior Indigenous leader, Professor Patrick Dodson
for presenting at the launch and the meeting.
Thanks also to Karl Hampton for sponsoring the event, and for the
Hon. Malarndirre McCarthy for attending.
Thanks to Peter Browne, Larrakia artist who crafted the coolamon
and bamboo water containers for the Water Policy Unification
Ceremony.
Thanks to the Maningrida Womens Centre who designed and
screenprinted the water themed cloth.
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