This declaration was
conceived at the International Indigenous Water Experts
Forum on Indigenous Water Knowledge and Interests that was
held at the Garma festival in Gulkula, north east Arnhem Land of
the Northern Territory. In August 2008, NAILSMA and the UNU-IAS
TKI co-convened a meeting in Gulkula of Indigenous
representatives from Canada, USA, Guatemala, the Andes and many
parts of Australia to exchange perspectives on Indigenous
Peoples’ knowledge and interests in
water.
The declaration that was
drafted during that meeting has since been finalised and endorsed
by the participants of the Garma meeting. Nolan Hunter of the
Kimberley Land Council, launched the Declaration at the 5th World Water Forum in Turkey March
2009.
