Indigenous Partnership Framework
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Indigenous Partnership Framework 2007–2010 Achievements About the Cover The image on the cover comes from the picture ‘Totemic Landscapes’ by artist Terina Hamm. Terina is a Victorian Indigenous woman whose people are from the Yorta Yorta – Wamba Wamba area in Northern Victoria. Terina is a recipient of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Art Award (1996). ‘Totemic Landscapes’ by Terina Hamm Publishedy b the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, December 2010 © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2010 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. Printed by Stream Solutions Printed on 100% Recycled paper ISBN 978-1-74242-635-8 (print) ISBN 978-1-74242-636-5 (online) For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186, 1800 122 969 (TTY), or email [email protected] This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at www.dse.vic.gov.au Indigenous Partnership Framework 2007–2010 Achievements iii Acknowledgement of Country Indigenous Partnership Framework The Department of Sustainability and Environment The Department of Sustainability and Environment (also referred to as “the Department” or “DSE”) launched its Indigenous Partnership Framework proudly acknowledges and pays its respects to 2007–2010 (IPF) in July 2007, building on its previous Victoria’s Native Title Holders and Traditional Owners Indigenous Partnership Strategy. and the rich culture and intrinsic connection they The Framework is structured around key strategic have to Country. The Department also recognises initiatives that aim to: and acknowledges the contribution and interests • support inclusiveness; of Victoria’s broader Indigenous community and • explore Indigenous people’s aspirations for land and organisations in the management of land and natural water management resources. Finally, the Department acknowledges • help DSE staff engage with Indigenous people. that the past injustices and continuing inequalities experienced by Indigenous people have limited, and The projects and initiatives in this publication continue to limit, their effective participation in land demonstrate how Victoria’s Traditional Owners and and natural resource management processes. Indigenous people have, in partnership with DSE, incorporated their knowledge, skills and perspectives into land management to improve Victoria’s natural resource management. The stories in this publication centre on the guiding principles of the Indigenous Partnership Framework: Principle 1 Respect and Recognition Principle 2 Caring for Country Principle 3 Partnership and Capacity Building . iv Contents Acknowledgement of Country ..............................................iv Indigenous Partnership Framework ..........................................iv Principle 1: Respect and Recognition . .2 Welcome and Acknowledgment to Country firmly established within DSE ............2 Indigenous Cultural awareness program for DSE staff ............................2 Repatriation of Ancestral Remains to Country ..................................3 Walking to build cultural connections ........................................4 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Awareness and Assessment pilot achieves goals ..........4 Indigenous history preserved in the North East .................................5 Principle 2: Caring for Country . .6 Traditional Owner Land Management Boards ..................................6 Working with DSE and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change ............7 Lake Condah Water Restoration ............................................8 Leading guidelines to protect Aboriginal sites when fighting fires ...................9 Coasting along: Building Indigenous engagement in coastal care ...................9 Principle 3: Partnership and Capacity Building . .10 Indigenous traineeships and employment projectsbring multiple benefits ............10 – Lake Tyers Indigenous Landcare Project ....................................10 – North West Indigenous Training project ....................................11 Traditional owners helping shape policies and practices ..........................12 Guiding the way: Effective engagement with the Indigenous community ............13 Developing and creating Indigenous career paths ..............................13 Success with Indigenous Student Scholarships .................................14 Getting goals at Rumbalara Football and Netball Club ..........................14 1 Principle 1: Respect and Recognition DSE’s approach to all Indigenous issues will be with an understanding that Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Indigenous Victorians have a connection to Country, and that they: • have a valuable contribution to make in land, water and natural resource management • can fulfil a uniquely integrated role in land, water and resource management practices. Welcome and Acknowledgment Indigenous Cultural Awareness to Country firmly established statewide Program for DSE staff statewide within DSE The Indigenous Cultural Awareness DSE’s commitment to the Indigenous Partnership Program (ICAP) is a key initiative of Framework has led to the development of DSE’s Indigenous Partnership Framework that all DSE an Acknowledgment of and Welcome to employees are required to undertake. The program Country Business Rule. The policy ensures that aims to provide staff with a greater understanding acknowledgment of Traditional Owners is standard and awareness of Victoria’s Indigenous histories, social practice at all major DSE forums and events. It clearly and cultural issues, relevant legislation, Victorian explains the procedures for staff to follow, including and Commonwealth government priorities and identifying and contacting the indigenous partnership commitments and local protocols for Indigenous facilitator to discuss arrangements and appropriate engagement. Traditional Owner engagement and how Elders and The program outlines practical tools for building distinguished Indigenous guests would like to be engagement and partnerships with Indigenous greeted and addressed. communities and highlights the role of DSE The recognition and use by all DSE staff of this Indigenous facilitators. ICAP is held in partnership practice has led to a greater understanding of the with the Koori Heritage Trust and is inclusive of importance of both acknowledging the Traditional Indigenous community members and Traditional Owners of the land and respecting and appreciating Owners who provide a Welcome to Country and their cultural heritage. make presentations on local community issues throughout the day. ICAP has been welcomed by staff and generally receives excellent feedback. A Wurrundjeri Traditional Owner provides Department from the Port Phillip area attend ICAP a Welcome to Country at the launch of the training at the Koori Heritage Trust Indigenous Partnerships Framework in 2007 2 Respect and Recognition Repatriation of Ancestral Remains to Country y Returning Aboriginal ancestral remains to an appropriate location is an important and highly sensitive issue for Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities. DSE with support from Parks Victoria, Museum Victoria and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) is developing a process and supporting guidelines to manage the return and burial of ancestral remains onto Crown land. Under the guidelines, Traditional Owners will take full ownership and control of the burial and ceremonial practices, and DSE and PV will assist by identifying culturally appropriate Crown land options for burial. The guidelines will be piloted in north-western Victoria, are due to be completed in early 2011. By way of historical snapshot, it should be noted that, following colonisation, many scientists and collectors took possession of Aboriginal skeletal remains for scientific testing and many of these remains are still held by a variety of institutions. The act of removal of remains by collectors was often without the knowledge or consent of the descendants of the deceased, causing distress and cultural loss for many communities. In Australia, the Return of Indigenous Cultural Property (RICP) represents a collaborative effort between the federal, state and Northern Territory governments and the museum sector to resolve the issues surrounding collections of ancestral remains and secret sacred objects held in Australian government museum collections. The Museum of Victoria is the State’s only official repository for Indigenous human remains awaiting a “Return to Country”. Since the mid 1980s, the Museum has returned a number of remains to Victorian Indigenous communities and interstate. It also still holds a considerable number of Indigenous remains from unidentified locations. Enclosed area in Nyah & Vinifera National Park 3 Respect and Recognition