Country – Culture - PeoPle
Action Plan 2020 Who We Are: The First People of the Millewa-Mallee are a community of family groups. Individuals within FPMM identify as Latji Latji, Ngintait, Nyeri Nyeri and Wergaia, but the FPMM group is not formed on the basis of language group identity. We are the custodians of our traditional country. • First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation was registered 2015 and granted Registered Aboriginal Party status in December 2018. • FPMM are in the process of seeking a native title determination and Traditional Owner Settlement within the next 18 months. • We are the living Indigenous culture within the Australian community. First People of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation are also a Traditional Owner Corporation (TOC), with responsibilities for the social wellbeing of our people. Registered Aboriginal Party
Our current RAP area covers the north-west corner of Victoria, with additional lands under negotiation.
The Murray River is our northern boundary and South Australia the western border.
The Murray River and how it is managed is a significant part of our work. Our rivers, floodplains and Mallee country have been scarred or destroyed by farming, grazing & water theft.
The occupation of our lands began in 1828 and continues today. Our Action Plan and strategic Country and Water Plan seek to repair the natural environment and our people’s place in the environment.
• We will do this by rejuvenating the land, floodplains and river system, while rejuvenating our culture and people. • We will do this with and by our people, in conjunction with the broader community and governments. • We are implementing our Indigenous cultural model of self determination, on Country with Culture for People. FPMM are working with the Federation of Traditional Owners and Victorian Government Agencies to develop our Country & Water Plan.
Photo: March 2020 This is land degradation on an industrial scale
Photo: March 2020 Country – Culture - PeoPle
Caring for Country will be facilitated through our Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program. Country – Culture - PeoPle
Caring for Culture will be facilitated through our Cultural Heritage and Business Development Program. Country – Culture - PeoPle
Caring for People will be facilitated through our Social Justice and Employment Program. The Country – Culture - PeoPle Action Plan comprises our three programs:
1. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration. 2. Cultural Heritage and Business Development. 3. Social Justice and Employment. 1. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
Photo: March 2020 1. 1.1 Fish & Aquatic Systems Environment & Ecosystem 1.2 Landscape Healing Restoration 1.3 Capacity Building Program Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To restore the aquatic & riparian environments we must:
1.1 Fish & Aquatic Stop the overuse of river waters Systems Increase floodplain water flows
Restore native fish & river species, native plants and animals. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To restore our river and land ecosystems we will: Establish a native fish hatchery, with 1.1 Fish & initial focus on endangered species. Aquatic Systems Establish a native plant seed bank, nursery and industrial planting capacity.
Operate the program as a business. 10 x 1,000L 36 x Tanks 36 x Tanks 10 x 20,000L 5 x 50,000L Tanks (Small Bodied Brood stock) (Eggs, Larvae, Fry Raising) Tanks Tanks- with viewing panel (Live feed (Fingerlings) (Large Bodied Brood stock)
cultures) in water Clean
= 12 x 1m x 0.8m x 0.6m = 12 x 1m x 0.8m x 0.6m in water Clean
= 24 x 0.5m x 0.8m x 0.6m = 24 x 0.5m x 0.8m x 0.6m Murray Cod Clean water fill Clean water in Clean water in
Golden Perch wastewater out wastewater out wastewater wastewater out wastewater out wastewater wastewater out wastewater wastewater out wastewater Silver Perch
saline water wastewater out wastewater wastewater out wastewater wastewater out wastewater Catfish First People of the viewing viewing Millewa-Mallee Concept Fish Hatchery Floor Plan Side View showing brickwork tank supporting structure Local Murray River: Millewa-Mallee ‘smaller-bodied’ native fish
Australian Smelt Bony Bream Carp Gudgeon Crimson Spotted Rainbowfish (Retropinnid semoni) (Nematalosa erebi) (Hypseleotris spp.) (Melanotaenia fluviatilis) - several sub-species
Murray Hardyhead Southern Purple- Olive Perchlet Flat-headed Gudgeon (Ambassis agassizii) (Philypnodon grandiceps) (Craterocephalus spotted Gudgeon fluviatilis) (Mogurnda adspersa)
Un-Speckled Fly Speckled Dwarf Flathead Hardyhead, Gudgeon, Hardyhead (Craterocephalus (Craterocephalus (Philypnodon fulvus) stercusmuscarum) macrostomus) Local Murray River: Millewa-Mallee ‘Larger Bodied’ native fish
Golden Perch Silver Perch (Macquaria ambigua) Murray Cod (Bidyanus bidyanus) (Maccullochella peeli peeli)
Freshwater Catfish Spangled Perch (Tandanus tandanus) (Leiopotherapon unicolor) Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To restore our Landscape we will: Establish teams of Indigenous cultural rangers (Mauthawi) program. 1.2 Establish a native seed bank of foods & fibre plants Landscape Healing and commercial nursery. Establish contracting services and operational capacity. Focus upon land, water, wildlife, feral animal management, construction, cultural heritage, tourism, native plants & restorative farming. Operate the program as a business. Our floodplains are dying from a lack of water as a result of an unhealthy river system.
Over allocation of water for irrigation purposes is environmental water theft.
We are not exporting almonds or cotton, but two-hundred-year old rivergum trees, our fish, birds and the life of the land itself.
As an agricultural business model this is a gross failure.
Photo: March 2020 Tinawin Wilson explains the landscape to Our Traditional Owner Elders know the country and how to restore it. Mike Nurse. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To develop and build capacity we will: Work in partnership with government and non-government 1.3 agencies. Capacity Building Establish in-house capacities and external commercial relationships. Complete our Native Title & Settlement Agreement. Operate programs as a business. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
Neds Corner Station is the largest freehold land holding in Victoria and has been run by Trust for Nature since 2002. Spot the difference First People are working to partner with Trust for Nature to build on the environmental conservation work they have undertaken at Neds Corner.
• On the left is the devastation caused by dry land crop farming. • On the right is Neds Corner, managed by Trust for Nature as a nature reserve. • The landscape on Neds Corner Station had been abused since 1849, but it is now a refuge for native wildlife and plants which hold the topsoil, even in drought.
Photo: March 2020 Paddock adjacent to Neds Corner – March 2020
Photo: March 2020 Mildura CBD at Mid Day 2019 Severe dust storms have become common throughout the First People’s lands.
The Mallee country is not appropriate to broadscale agricultural practices.
The desertification of the Millewa-Mallee needs to be reversed as a matter of urgency.
Calling it agriculture does not make it right or acceptable.
Photo: May 2019 Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
2. 2.1 RAP – Heritage Protection Cultural Heritage and 2.2 Expanding Cultural Activity Business 2.3 Business Structure & Development Development Damian Jackson and Carl Kirby of Parks Victoria on country Photo: March 2020 These are the Lands of our Ancestors and for our Future Generations Photo: March 2020 Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To protect heritage we will: Carry out responsibilities under the 2.1 Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. Expand in-house capacities, structures RAP – and objectives. Heritage Complete negotiation of expanded RAP Protection area of operations. Expand our Resting Places Program. Expand our Cultural Ranger capability. Develop employment & economic opportunities On-Country. ‘Resting Places Program’ – The rehabilitation of ancient burial sites Photo: March 2020 ‘This program is supported by Government and non-government partnerships. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To expand cultural activity we will: Develop employment & economic 2.2 opportunity on country. Expanding Develop & support cultural activities. Cultural Expand traditional languages Activity learning, knowledge and use. Expand our Aboriginal community & foster ongoing relationships. This large canoe tree requires protection from fire, flood and tourists, for the benefit of future generations.
• First People of the Millewa-Mallee are working in partnership with government and non-government organisations to protect and restore our country.
Photo: March 2020 Tinawin Wilson leading Smoking Ceremony at Snake Lagoon Photo: March 2020 Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
To develop business activity we will: 2.3 Develop structures & internal capacity. Business Link with all other FPMM programs & Structure & activities. Development Partner with agencies & businesses. Employ & sub-contract our Aboriginal community. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
We are currently working to develop: A native Fish Hatchery 2.3 Berribee Homestead Business A native plant seed bank & nursery Structure & Mildura Operations Facility/Warehouse Development Mildura Riverfront Stage-Two Mildura and Regional investments National Park based opportunities Environmental & Cultural Water Flows Land & water management contracts Walpeup Research Station & Lands Carl & Tinawin at Berribee Homestead on the Lindsey River Photo: March 2020 Concept Design for Riverfront Development – No. 29 is designated for First People of the Millewa-Mallee Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
3.1 Social Justice Objectives 3. Social Justice 3.2 Alternatives to Imprisonment and Employment 3.3 Indigenous Employment The early Indigenous prisoners were chained to trees. The ongoing plight of Indigenous imprisonment is an Australian national disgrace.
Early Events: • 1828 Captain Sturt explores the Murray River to the ocean. • 1836 Major Mitchell wars with the ‘Natives’. • 1838 Cattlemen drive stock along Murray river to Adelaide. • 1840’s The large-scale squatters occupation begins. • 1841 Rufus River Massacre sets the pattern for the occupation. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program
3. When we restore people to a Social Justice healthy social and cultural and environment, it provides the Employment basis for individuals, families and communities to thrive. Environment & Ecosystem Restoration Program 3.1 Our immediate Social Justice objectives are: To provide our people with meaningful employment. 3. To provide all necessary mentoring, education and Social Justice training for employment. To facilitate social housing & provide a safe and environment for our people & families. Employment To provide a culturally appropriate alternative to imprisonment and through-care for those in need. To provide access to cultural identity, knowledge and healing of country. H.M. Wentworth Gaol 1881 3. First People’s Cultural Justice Program
3.2 Our Cultural Justice Program will provide: Culturally appropriate alternative to prison & jail. Comprehensive through-care program for Indigenous participants. Partnership with criminal justice system to prevent imprisonment & reduce recidivism. Provide early prison/remand release and diversionary options. Provide cultural and social rehabilitation and counseling on country. Mandatory three-month program of education, training and paid employment. Targeted for men and women in three separate age groups & need. Family inclusion and support throughout the cycle of return. Cultural connection and regeneration for people, families and country. 3.3 Our Indigenous employment objectives are: To provide our people with meaningful employment and training to allow them to 3. participate at all levels of the activities of First Social Justice People of the Millewa-Mallee. Participants from the Alternatives to and Imprisonment program will form a substantial Employment part of our Indigenous workforce. Men, women and youth will all be targeted for work, training, education and life skill development.