First Nations water partnerships
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this webpage may contain images, voices and videos of deceased persons.
Partnerships with First Nations ensure projects and policies are developed that are appropriate and in line with First Nations cultural obligations.
We understand that, for South Australia's water systems to be healthy, it is essential our partnership with First Nations communities are meaningful, equitable, inclusive and respectful.
In the projects below, First Nations partners have contributed to planning, implementing and ongoing monitoring.
Sustaining Riverland Environments
The Sustaining Riverland Environments program works through a dedicated Aboriginal Partnerships team that guides engagement with First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee. This provides a culturally safe space to share knowledge, values and interests, which then informs how decisions are made across the program.
The program acknowledges the ongoing rights, interests, obligations, and cultural connections for ancestral and living Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Erawirung, Ngintait, Ngaralte and Ngarkat people, and seeks to support their engagement.
- News story (10 June 2021): First Peoples workshop previews Master Plan process for Lock 3, Bookmark Creek, Weir Pool 3
The Living Murray Program
As part of The Living Murray Program, many groups are directly involved with operating water management infrastructure, such as regulating structures and pumps, and collecting monitoring data to support decision-making.
DEW and partner organisations work with members of the following groups, to ensure cultural priorities and local knowledge are incorporated into environmental watering programs in the SA River Murray, Coorong and Lower Lakes:
- First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee Region through their prescribed body of the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation
- The Ngarrindjeri Nations through their prescribed body corporate the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation
- The First Nations of the South East through the South East Aboriginal Focus Group.
DEW Chowilla staff also engage with the Barkindji Maraura Elders Committee (BMEC); the prescribed body of the Maraura Nation, in collaboration with NSW DPIE site managers at Kulcurna (the NSW part of the Chowilla Floodplain).
- Also, see the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's Indigenous Partnerships Program
Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation
The Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation represents the Ngarrindjeri Nation and its Ngarrindjeri native title common law holders.
The Living Murray works though the Ngarrindjeri Working Group and goes through a Yarluwar Ruwe Coordinator within the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation.
A Ngarrindjeri Research and Monitoring Statement of Commitment supports cultural heritage clearances for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region and The Living Murray’s programs, Ngarrindjeri involvement in monitoring activities, and increased awareness of Ngarrindjeri culture.
We meet regularly to discuss project updates and opportunities, collaborate in project implementation, as well as address cultural heritage matters related to research and monitoring activities.
First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee
The First Peoples Working Group aims to facilitates greater involvement of First Peoples in South Australian Government projects on their Country.
The Living Murray team builds and maintains a positive relationship with the Traditional Owners in their region. It seeks input on various aspects of The Living Murray Program, including water for the environment priorities, operations planning for the regulator, and communication and engagement.
The Living Murray team coordinates tours of the Chowilla Floodplain with the First Peoples community. The tours are valuable information sharing opportunities for The Living Murray staff and the First Peoples. The Living Murray contributes part funding to employ the First Peoples Coordinator who works closely with DEW to undertake this work.
Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Program
Under the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program, we are partnering with the Ngarrindjeri and First Nations of the South East to ensure they have sufficient capacity to apply cultural knowledge, values and interests to shape, inform and be involved in the program.
Read the full details about the HCHB First Nations Partnerships Project.
