Bindjareb Noongar communities unite to secure nearly $1.3 million for local Ranger programs
A collaborative application from three Aboriginal corporations on Bindjareb Country is one of only 12 submissions across Western Australia to be successful in applying for a share of the Aboriginal Ranger Program Innovation Fund.
Winjan Aboriginal Corporation, Harvey Aboriginal Corporation and Waroona Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Corporation came together to secure a good portion of the $11 million fund which is the latest round of a State Government program that to date has created more than 650 ranger jobs on Country, and supported the management of nearly 500 significant cultural sites, 2,000 kilometres of tracks and weed management across 2,000 hectares of land.
The Bindjareb Boodja Baldja Ranger (Bindjareb Country Strongly United) Innovation Program, will provide an opportunity for multiple Aboriginal corporations, communities and Elders across Bindjareb Noongar Country to come together to deliver a unique project with innovative approaches to maximise outcomes and benefit of Aboriginal ranger programs across Western Australia. Focusing on four program areas including - 1. Junior Ranger Program, 2. Rangers drone cultural mapping & country monitoring program, 3. Bindjareb ranger tourism capacity building program and 4 Bindjareb country seed and nursery development program, learnings from this Program will be shared across the State.
The Program aligns with all three themes of the Fund being Protecting Country, Empowerment and Collaboration, providing new employment and technical training of seven Program Rangers and supporting career progression for existing rangers. Over 30 partners will be brought together to enable cross-sector and broad reaching outcomes for Bindjareb people and the community, including the development of commercial enterprises for long-term sustainability.
At the heart of this project is the commitment to maintain the unbroken traditional relationships and cultural responsibilities between Bindjareb people and Country. Bindjareb families are unified in this commitment to both natural and cultural values, and work together through strong partnerships with land managers and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for country, faithful to the vision of the old people and mindful of their obligations to their children.
As Bindjareb Elder and community leader Franklyn Nannup says, 'Country will look after you if you look after it. The ranger program reflects our cultural practices and hopes for our future generations'. Ranger programs keeps culture strong through identify, belonging and responsibility; provides an engaging and innovative training and employment pathway on country for Bindjareb people to help 'close the gap'; and delivers significant cultural and environmental outcomes for priority conservation areas under threat in partnership with land managers to benefit the community and the region.
The three corporations received overwhelming amount of support for our collaborative project, with a total of 34 letters of support from local schools, businesses, community organisations, environmental groups, government agencies and individuals across Bindjareb Country, as well as support from local members of parliament David Templeman MLA, Lisa Munday MLA and Robyn Clarke MLA.
Winjan Aboriginal Corporation, Harvey Aboriginal Corporation and Waroona Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Corporation thank all those who supported this application, and look forward to bringing everyone together for cross-sector collaboration to benefit Bindjareb people and our community.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"I congratulate the recipients of this latest round of funding and I look forward to hearing about the success of these exciting, innovative projects.
"The Aboriginal Ranger Program continues to make a real difference, providing valuable employment opportunities across our great State.
"We want to empower Aboriginal communities to care for their Country and culture. For every $1 invested, the program creates approximately $3 worth of social, economic, cultural and environmental value."
Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Our Government is committed to building the skills and knowledge of Aboriginal ranger teams across Western Australia and encourage shared learning.
"The Aboriginal Ranger Program creates meaningful opportunities while developing community resilience and leadership. We're continuing to invest and build on the program's success.
"This funding round ensures expert knowledge continues to be passed on to help communities care for their Country in a way that protects cultural and environmental values."