Kimberley Land Council

The KLC and Karajarri Traditional Land Association are proud to have made legal history with an outcome that sets a precedence for native title holders across Australia. The landmark ruling represents a major victory for native title holders and PBCs in the Kimberley and around the country, significantly strengthening the position of PBCs in potential future compensation cases.

The KLC has raised significant concerns with the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding the Western Australian Government’s failure to fulfill critical commitments on hydraulic fracture stimulation (fracking) in the region. In response to the 2018 final report from the Independent Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation, the WA Government released an implementation plan in July 2019, outlining 20 key actions aimed at implementing the inquiry's recommendations. Alarmingly, half of these actions remain unfulfilled, including vital measures such as the right of consent for Traditional Owners (Action 5a) and an enforceable code of practice (Action 11). The completion dates for these actions are now more than two years overdue. KLC CEO Tyronne Garstone has called for a halt on all fracking proposals until the key actions in the implementation plan are fully enacted. “Without these essential measures in place, Western Australia’s regulatory framework for fracking is incomplete and inadequate. The lack of critical information necessary for informed decision-making raises significant concerns about the integrity of any fracking approvals. The KLC firmly believes that no fracking proposals should be considered for approval by government until key actions in the implementation plan are fully enacted.” Read more in The West Australian or on the newsroom section of the KLC website.

Kimberley Rangers have made their mark on the global stage by attending the 10th International Ranger Federation (IRF) World Rangers Congress, hosted by the Gardes Nature de France. Bardi Jawi Oorany Ranger Coordinator Tamara Moore and Ngurrara Ranger Sumayah Surprise, travelled to the French town of Hyeres on the Mediterranean coast, proudly representing their Kimberley communities and Country. They joined over 450 rangers from all around the world to share knowledge, experiences, and conservation strategies. The forum aimed to promote the exchange of information and technology from countries in which protected area management enjoys broad public and government support, to countries in which it is less supported. Bardi Jawi Oorany Ranger Coordinator Tamara Moore said the conference gave her a global perspective on conservation. “I’m listening to rangers who do the same line of work as us in their countries and witnessing the scale of the conservation efforts happening globally. It’s inspiring to hear their stories and to see their dedication to their work, especially those who do it on a volunteer basis. It’s an amazing experience, and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to attend.” KLC Land and Sea Management Unit Business Manager Tanah Tang Wei accompanied Tamara on the trip. “It’s been an incredible experience, a space to learn, share, and create networks with rangers across the world. Indigenous rangers’ dedication and commitment to protect our planet’s natural and cultural heritage is invaluable. We are here to contribute our experiences from the Kimberley.” KLC Deputy CEO Sarah Parriman said the participation of Kimberley Rangers at the IRF World Rangers Congress underscores the critical role indigenous rangers play in conservation efforts worldwide. “It’s fantastic to see Indigenous-led conservation being celebrated on the world stage and to be part of a global network of rangers. Indigenous rangers are highly skilled and use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, combined with Western Science, to manage land, river and sea Country and deliver environmental, cultural, social and economic outcomes. When Kimberley rangers, who are world leaders in conservation, share their unique experiences, culture and approaches to land management, they contribute to a collective movement towards a more sustainable future.” Thank you to The Thin Green Line Foundation for sponsoring the trip for Bardi Jawi Oorany Ranger Coordinator Tamara Moore and KLC Land and Sea Management Unit Business Manager Tanah Tang Wei.

One year on from the failed Voice referendum, Kimberley leaders remain resolute in their commitment to a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard and genuinely influence decision-making, advocating agreement-making and truth-telling as the foundation for justice. Read the full story 📲 https://lnkd.in/g5wgg6Ux Stay in the know, subscribe to our FREE newsletter ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g4GVrRJZ

One year on from the failed referendum, Kimberley leaders remain resolute in their commitment to a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard and genuinely influence decision-making. Kimberley Aboriginal people show remarkable resilience, moving forward despite the challenges, disappointment and setbacks. In Bardi language we say: Iwooloongan Iyoordin biinmal ningamoord ambooriny, Tide come in, tide go out. We are strong people. We know that 77.5% of remote Kimberley communities voted yes to a Voice to Parliament. We also know that our members remain committed to the need for a Kimberley Aboriginal Regional Body, one that works directly with government on the matters that affect our lives, our rights and our futures. The KLC continues to support the key reform concepts of the Uluru Statement, and firmly believes that a process to oversee both treaty and truth-telling is critical to achieving justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To date, there has not been a nationally coordinated process of truth-telling about Australia’s history of colonisation. In the words of former KLC CEO Nolan Hunter and academic Damien Freeman, ”this has been one of the biggest historical barriers to genuine reconciliation in Australia". Linking agreement-making with truth-telling provides the potential for substantive justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. While truth-telling can shine light on the wrongs of the past and their contemporary effects, agreements – or treaties – provide a practical way to address, redress and compensate for those wrongs. Agreements can recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s identities and political status, provide redress for past wrongs, and enshrine commitments from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments. They can be vehicles for economic and social empowerment and self-determination. To pave a way forward, we urge our Kimberley community and the rest of Australia to stand strong through these challenging times - the ebbs and flows of the tide - and rise with us. Together, we can close the gap to create a more just and equitable future for everyone in our region and our nation. - Statement by KLC CEO Tyronne Garstone  

This deal took over three years, back and forth with the negotiation. We had to have an ironclad agreement, and the way around that was to do an Indigenous Land Use Agreement. That’s Portia Wright talking, a director from Nyul Nyul PBC Aboriginal Corporation. Portia is talking about a new 20-year agreement between the Nyul Nyul people of Beagle Bay in Western Australia and Horizon Power to develop renewable energy that will supply the community clean electricity. Portia told David Prestipino from the National Indigenous Times, 'we consulted with Horizon through the Kimberley Land Council, which has more experience in dealing with these type of negotiations, and they came back to us with a really stronger deal." “We want to keep Country for the future generation, we want to ensure the Beagle Bay community continues to survive and thrive, and we want to make sure that they are looked after as well. "So when negotiations like this come up, and we have got to give land over - and we know it's for the for the betterment of the community, for their lifestyles, for their generations to come – we have to make sure as a board that we are compensated well, so we can put further money back into the community. "We don't want to repeat past mistakes from other organisations that's had Native Title determinations for more than 20 years. "So for us to strike a deal like this for the Nyul Nyul people… "We're really, really quite proud of it." Thanks for use of the photo showing Nyul Nyul PBC Aboriginal Corporation directors in Beagle Bay and Horizon Power representatives -- including one of the First Nations Clean Energy Network's PowerMakers 2023 alumni Aaron Matthews! Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Energy Policy WA Reece Whitby Chris Bowen MP Synergy (Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation) Stephanie Unwin

"The Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Nyul Nyul PBC Aboriginal Corporation gives Horizon Power access to 4ha in Beagle Bay for renewable energy infrastructure that will supply the community clean electricity. Nyul Nyul PBC Aboriginal Corporation director Portia Wright told National Indigenous Times the organisation didn't feel the initial deal on the table from Horizon would sustainably benefit the Beagle Bay community. So, it enlisted the help of the Kimberley Land Council, which facilitated a longer-term deal, with benefits skewed to sustainable economic and social opportunities for the Nyul Nyul people, as well as reliable power, after the community had run on 'old and obsolete diesel fuel stations'." Read the full story in National Indigenous Times 👏🏾

Ngurrara Rangers Two-Way Science Camp 🎣 In September, the KLC's Two-Way Science team supported the coordination and delivery of a two-way science school camp with the Ngurrara Rangers, Djugerari Remote Community School, Yakanarra School and Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation. The camp was held at Old Cherabin Station along the Fitzroy River on Ngurrara Country with twelve students from both primary schools attending. The Ngurrara rangers guided the students through learning to tie fish knots, collecting baits from the river bank, traditional fish catching techniques and ways to dig near the river to find clean fresh water. The students practiced water monitoring with equipment and also aquatic insect ID. There was also a fishing and throw net competition, where the students practiced measuring and collecting the data of the catfish, archer fish and barramundi they reeled in! The students were joined by Elders and language teachers Jessie and Mary who also enjoyed fishing and swimming in the river, whilst sharing Walmajarri names for insects. Yakinarra Elders Mary and Jessie joined the trip and said it's so important for the young people to be learning the ways on Country. 'It's good to have the kids asking us questions about how to do things the old ways, like today we were catching sand frogs with them, teaching them how to put it on the hook and throw it in to the river and get some catfish. These days, they are good. We want to keep sharing it on, and teaching the kids how to live from the river." Thank you to all involved for a wonderful week on Country 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

This year, more than 130 Kimberley rangers came together at Gnylmarung campground on Nyul Nyul Country for the KLC's Kimberley Ranger Forum. 🪸 "By having this kind of gathering together we get more people looking after Country, and that’s what we need. The Country looked after us for so long, we need to look after it. Everybody needs to be involved not just the rangers, everybody." - Carlene Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger Check out the video from the week 🎥

In September, a team from the KLC attended the Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa First Nations Land & Water Management Forum in on the lands of the Larrakia people in Darwin. 🐊🪸 KLC staff and rangers presented on two-way science, women ranger empowerment and ecology which focused on pairing cultural knowledge with long term ranger data. Janella Isaac from Mayala Innalang Aboriginal Corporation also spoke about Mayala's journey throughout the Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) consultation process. KLC Deputy CEO Sarah Parriman attended the conference and said many discussions reflected the need for increasing infrastructure at ranger bases. "The forum was a pivotal moment for reflecting on the government's commitment to doubling the number of Indigenous rangers, however additional funding is crucial for enhancing capacity building and upgrading infrastructure at ranger bases." The event was planned and facilitated by the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation. #2024landwatermanagementforum