Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Cultural heritage protocols put people in harmony
Students attending a training course on Indigenous artefacts practice their stone knapping technique
Teacher Joanne Bell demonstrates the stone knapping technique to Warwick Paton
Indigenous people in the Mallee are being encouraged to become involved in managing the region's natural resources.
As part of this process a Memorandum of Understanding is being developed by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority in partnership with the Victorian Departments of Sustainability and Environment, and of Primary Industries, and Parks Victoria.
The Catchment Management Authority's Regional Catchment Strategy identifies cultural heritage as a key theme within the catchment and sets protecting cultural heritage and significant landscape sites as a key goal.
To achieve this, the Mallee Cultural Heritage Protocols project is working to ensure Indigenous people are engaged in managing natural resources and that cultural heritage is protected.
Funding
The Cultural Heritage Protocols are being developed with the help of $50,000 from the Australian and State Governments.
Activities
Although the Mallee has a large Indigenous population, knowledge of cultural heritage values is currently not widespread and few Indigenous people are engaged in local conservation work.
The project initially worked with a number of Indigenous stakeholders to identify issues important to them. A workshop was then held, and a working group formed to develop guidelines and protocols for both the Indigenous community and government agencies. The Victorian Departments of Sustainability and Environment, and of Primary Industries, and Parks Victoria and their various sub-committees have all been involved in the consultation process.
Achievements
On-going engagement of the local Indigenous community is seen as the key to implementing the protocols successfully. With the Catchment Management Authority and its partners now close to completing the full document, Manager of People and Programme Support Linda Pratt is positive about progress to date.
"We've come a long way and now we're close to a full document," said Linda. "These protocols mean we'll communicate in the same way with all Indigenous groups and ensure their input into environmental issues on their country."
More information
- Linda Pratt, Mallee CMA Manager People and Programme Support: (03) 5051 4331 or linda.pratt@dpi.vic.gov.au
- Mallee Catchment Management Authority
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