‘A review of contemporary Indigenous cultural fire management literature in southeast Australia’ Michelle B. McKemey1*, Oliver Costello2, Malcolm Ridges3, Emilie J. Ens4, John T. Hunter1 and Nick C. H. Reid1 1 School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. 2 Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation, Rosebank, NSW, 2480, Australia. 3Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (NSW), University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. 4 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, 12 Wally's Walk, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. * Corresponding author: Michelle McKemey +61 (0)437 350 597
[email protected] Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge all Indigenous people of the past and present who have cared for and shared their knowledge of Country and culture. Compliance with Ethical Standards: Funding: This study was funded by University of New England, Firesticks Project, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services through the National Landcare Program, Rural Fire Service Association & Rural Fire Service NSW. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 1 MAIN TEXT ‘A review of contemporary Indigenous cultural fire management literature in southeast Australia’ Abstract Indigenous cultural fire management is being recognised and revived across Australia, primarily in the centre and across the north. To explore the benefits of contemporary cultural fire management in southeast Australia and barriers to its revival, we undertook a systematic analysis of the literature. Seventy documented applications of cultural fire management projects were found with the potential for significant upscaling. Over the last decade, eight policies related to Indigenous fire management have been developed by state and territory governments in southeast Australia, with varying levels of implementation.