Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement Listening to Ngarrindjeri People Talking KNYA Taskforce Report 2010-11
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Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement Listening to Ngarrindjeri People talking KNYA Taskforce Report 2010-11 www.environment.sa.gov.au Acknowledgements The Ngarrindjeri people are the descendents of the original indigenous inhabitants of the lands and waters of the Murray River, Lower Lakes and Coorong and adjacent areas. Ngarrindjeri have occupied, enjoyed, utilised and managed these traditional homelands since time immemorial. The South Australian Government acknowledges Ngarrindjeri are the Traditional Owners of the land and that according to their traditions, customs and spiritual beliefs its lands and waters remain their traditional country. The State also acknowledges and respects the rights, interests and obligations of Ngarrindjeri to speak and care for their traditional country, lands and waters in accordance with their laws, customs, beliefs and traditions. The KNYA Taskforce Planning Workshop was part of the South Australian Government’s Murray Futures program, funded by the Australian Government’s Water for the Future program. Caution when reading this report The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will always make every effort to respect Ngarrindjeri cultural sensitivities when featuring images or names of people who have recently died. However please be advised that this document may contain images of persons who have died after this Annual Report was finalised in January 2012 and we offer our apologies for any distress caused if this occurs. Younghusband Peninsula in Coorong National Park Contents In Memory of the late Ngarrindjeri Chairs of the KNYA Taskforce . .. 5 Messages from the Co-chairpersons of the Taskforce . 6 KNYA Purpose . 8 Our Performance – KNYA Taskforce Review of 2010-11 . 12 Improving the way we work . 15 Our Engagement for 2010-11 . 16 Our Highlights of 2010-11 . 18 Case study project – CLLMM Research and Monitoring Program . 20 Opportunities and challenges for the future . 21 Acronyms/abbreviations/terms . 22 Lake Alexandrina looking towards the Tauwitchere barrage In memory of the late Ngarrindjeri Chairs of the KNYA Taskforce Mr George Trevorrow Mr Matt Rigney We are saddened by the loss of George Trevorrow, We are also saddened by the loss of Matt Rigney, who the Chair of the KNYA Taskforce, who has been an assumed the Chair of the KNYA Taskforce following inspirational leader and advocate for Aboriginal people, the passing of George Trevorrow . Matt was also an in particular the Ngarrindjeri nation . inspirational leader and advocate for Aboriginal people, in particular the Ngarrindjeri nation . Mr Trevorrow passed away two days after the KNYA Taskforce Planning Workshop after a battle with illness . Rigney passed away on 18 August 2011 at Meningie Hospital . At the time of his passing Mr Rigney was the Mr Trevorrow was the Rupelli (leader) of the Ngarrindjeri Chair of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority Inc . Tendi (traditional governing body of the Ngarrindjeri nation) . Throughout much of his life he advocated for Mr Rigney was highly respected by many people the recognition of Ngarrindjeri people’s rights and interests throughout South Australia and devoted his life to in their Ruwe (Country) . He worked closely with other progressing a greater understanding of culture on Ngarrindjeri leaders and elders to progress those rights . behalf of the Ngarrindjeri Nation and in doing so made a significant contribution to South Australia . His leadership as the Chairperson of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority (NRA) and KNYA Taskforce has been Matthew Rigney played an enormous role in Aboriginal integral in developing new relationships with the State affairs, locally and nationally, in the areas of Aboriginal Government, especially in relation to the conservation community welfare, education, youth affairs, sport, of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region . employment and training, natural resource management and community development . Through his work as Mr Trevorrow was forthright in his determination to a cultural and political educator at Camp Coorong, ensure that Government and the broader community Mr Rigney provided the opportunity to meaningfully had a clear understanding of the Ngarrindjeri position engage with Aboriginal people, their histories on important issues, whilst at all time, being prepared and cultures . to listen and talk to ensure a better understanding and relationship, even in times where agreement or Beyond these roles, Mr Rigney was a leader of the consensus could not be reached . Ngarrindjeri nation, playing a crucial role in building governance structures such as the Ngarrindjeri Regional He was central to the establishment of the NRA as the Authority Inc and, in doing so, establishing partnerships peak Ngarrindjeri regional body based on the traditional with all levels of government including the KNYA governance structure of the Ngarrindjeri Tendi . Taskforce representatives . He was the chair of the Mr Trevorrow has always sought recognition and respect Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations Coalition, for Ngarrindjeri rights and cultural responsibilities in Chair of the Ngarrindjeri Native Title Management caring for the region . He and his family have lead by Committee and a member of the Tendi-Ngarrindjeri example in bringing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Governing Body . people together in the spirit of Reconciliation . Mr Rigney’s long political career in Aboriginal affairs Mr Trevorrow was a much-respected and close friend included chairing the Patpa Warra Yunti Regional to many people in Government . He will be remembered Council of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander for his warmth and compassion, and as a teacher and Commission . In recent years he has been a tireless mentor by the many people who have met and worked advocate for Aboriginal rights to water and was with him . a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s Community Advisory Committee . Mr Rigney Mr Trevorrow’s contribution to his community and cultural was interested in the interconnection between how relations in South Australia leaves a significant legacy . we treat the earth and how we treat each other . He was a fearless advocate for Aboriginal rights and the responsibility Aboriginal people have to care for country, yet was prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue, even on very difficult issues, with government and others . Mr Rigney designed the now famous Ngarrindjeri flag, which was first flown in 1999 on Kumarangk (Hindmarsh Island) . Mr Rigney will be sadly missed and long remembered . 5 Messages from the co-chairpersons of the Taskforce North Coorong lagoon to the Murray Mouth North NRA Chairman’s Report With great sadness I also want to acknowledge and honour the contribution to the establishment Looking back at the past year as the Chair of the and progress of the KNYA made by brothers George Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, I am pleased to be able Trevorrow, Matt Rigney, and Robert Rigney, my nephew to say that the Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement Steven Walker, and the many other Ngarrindjeri Elders, (KNYA) has been a success. The KNYA has provided leaders and community members who have passed in opportunities for the Ngarrindjeri people to extend the recent times. work that we are doing as a Nation that otherwise would not have been possible. The negotiation of the KNYA As a Ngarrindjeri Elder and on behalf of the NRA, I would between the NRA and the Government assisted us to like to sincerely thank all those who have contributed address the terrible effects of the drought on our Ruwe to the work of the Taskforce and the outcomes it has Ruwar, which had caused great stress to the Ngarrindjeri achieved so far. I look forward to continuing our work people. We have achieved a number of positive together in the coming year and to expanding and outcomes through the KNYA that have helped to heal improving on our achievements for the benefit of all our Country and our people. Ngarrindjeri people. Another of the positive outcomes has been the opportunity to get to know Government people Tom Trevorrow and to begin the process of creating a respectful Chair of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority relationship between them and the Ngarrindjeri people. My hope is that we can extend the KNYAs and respectful relationships we have begun with the current members of the Taskforce to all areas of Government. 6 Hindmarsh Island looking west towards Goolwa Hindmarsh Island looking west Coorong, Lower Lakes The return of water has seen a dramatic improvement and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) in the ecological condition of the Coorong and Lower Lakes region. The water bought with it new challenges Program Director’s Report and opportunities for 2011 and a change in focus for I am very proud to co-present the inaugural the CLLMM Program. KNYA Taskforce Report. What will not change is our commitment to the As the lead South Australian Government agency Agreement and to supporting Ngarrindjeri in working on the Agreement, I would like to take this opportunity towards the long-term goal of cooperative management on behalf of the Department of Environment and Natural of the CLLMM site. Resources to thank the Ngarrindjeri for their support I look forward to continuing to work closely with the and commitment to implementing the Agreement. Ngarrindjeri during 2012 to achieve progress towards They have been an inspirational partner in tackling this shared objective. the environmental issues that have recently faced the Coorong and Lower Lakes region.