 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Issues
Land and water management
In the last 200 years, although many of us have been removed from our country, our connections to country remain strong through our involvement mainly in the cattle industry. In this time, many areas throughout the Fitzroy Basin have been over-cleared, over-stocked, or over-irrigated. These destructive practices- as well as damaging our cultural heritage, have affected the environment through soil erosion and poor water quality. ( Fitzroy Basin Association has more information).
The traditional owners of the land have had thousands of years experience in land and water management. This experience can lead to better management of land and water. The Fitzroy Basin Elders Committee is seeking ways for Murris to have a stronger voice in land and water decisions in the Fitzroy Basin.
We wish to raise awareness among Murris and the general public about:
- The need for clean river (eg Healthy Waterways campaign on TV)
- Soil erosion (buffers ie trees removed)
- Effects of tree clearing & blade ploughing
- Effects of overstocking
- Effects of poor water harvesting and irrigation practices
- Benefits of Murri input into land and water decision making
Water rights
Recently the government has been treating water like an asset which can be traded off to the highest bidder. This is not the way we think of it. As the first Australians we believe we have special rights, responsibilities and interests in water - even though we recognise water is essential to everyone and to all life. The goverment's water planning process encourages allocations for grazing, irrigation, mining and town use, while also trying to look after the environment. Traditional owners of the land have no recognised rights to water.
Traditional use of land has always included water. There are many uses, customs, songs, practices and ceremonies that rely on water. Activites like fishing, hunting and trading were often linked through water - and were part of our way of looking after country.
Our knowledge can lead to better management of our waterways today. For this to happen, our rights to water need to be recognised.
Cultural Heritage
We encourage and promote the sharing of knowledge of our cultural heritage. As elders, we wish to pass on knowledge to our youth, strengthening their cultural identity. To maintain our heritage we encourage the protection of sites, visiting country, preserving language and recording histories/stories.
We promote awareness about cultural heritage issues within government and community groups. We can advise or comment on government policies relating to cultural heritage.
For the wider community, we can act as a first point of contact for people wishing to get in touch with traditional owner groups or organisations dealing with cultural heritage issues.
Legal rights
In matters associated with land management, we ask that aboriginal rights be considered. While our committee does not speak for traditional owners in matters such as land rights, we may be able to direct you to appropriate help, such as Native Title representative bodies. Contact us for more details.
Youth/education/training
Fitzroy Basin Elders passes on knowledge to the younger generation of Murris, in the following ways:
- Education
- Forums where elders and youth get together & chat
- Elders take selected youth out bush
- Arrange bush retreats and trips for young people
- Train youth in location & importance of cultural sites
- Build partnerships with other youth training schemes (eg CDEP, Greencorp )
- Have art or writing workshops
