Brochure - Karrkad

Good for country, good for people, good for culture
www.kkt.org.au
{ t}
{ t} { i}
“garr
{gut i}gun jee”
Pronunciation
Karrkad-Kanjdji describes the
interconnectedness of the Warddeken
and Djelk Indigenous Protected Areas
(IPAs) in West Arnhem Land, like a
river with its source in the highlands,
connecting all the country as it runs to
the sea and brings fresh water to mix
with salt.
“People living on country will look after country, and we will know the
West Arnhem Land
songs and the songs will be sung. There will be lots of good animals living
on our country. We will talk to the ancestors and our knowledge will be
shared between the young and the old.”
Djelk ipa
6,732 km2
DARWIN
kakadu
national
park
warddeken ipa
13,950 km2
australia
Community vision expressed in a country management workshop
our country p.6
• Conservation
• Reduced threats from wildfire and introduced species
• Finer detail land management
• Protection of threatened plants, animals and communities
• Traditional knowledge and science working together
our people p.8
our culture P.10
• Protecting rock art and cultural sites
• Maintaining language and traditional knowledge
• Allowing traditional environmental knowledge to direct project
priorities
• Collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
4
• Career pathways
• Prosperity
• Health and well-being
• Leadership
• Enterprise and business
• Capacity building
Natural and cultural resource management
in West Arnhem Land is a success story in
Indigenous Australia.
More than 3,000 people live on their lands
here – one of Australia’s most important and
intact environments nurtured by 50,000 years
of Indigenous management. Today, natural and
cultural resource management work enables
people to continue this legacy. The landscape
is managed by the people who know it best
and there is meaningful employment in remote
communities where there are few other options.
When local elders wanted to secure this work
for their children and grandchildren they
joined with non-Indigenous experts to create
the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust. Together they
followed the conservation trust fund model
used in more than 50 countries worldwide to
provide sustainable finance for conservation,
community well-being and economic
development.
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust provides a secure
underpinning for natural and cultural resource
management work. It significantly increases
available resources and allows Traditional
Owners to lead project priorities, many of
which are multi-generational and landscape
scale. And, it delivers outcomes in the national
interest:
• Finer detail management for a landscape of
global conservation significance
• Increased local employment for Indigenous
people, leading to improved prosperity,
health and well-being
• Greater financial independence from the
public sector
We invite you to join this world class initiative.
5
Our country
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust will increase resources for the
management of this landscape and the rich biodiversity it
supports.
Some projects being discussed locally include:
•Close monitoring of native animals in high priority places
for 5 years. Cost estimate approximately $25,000 per year.
•Addressing the impact of feral cats in priority areas over the
long term. Cost estimate approximately $30,000 per year.
Every $1 million in the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust delivers $30,000
– $50,000 annually for projects like these.
6
An international conservation treasure.
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust is dedicated to the
Warddeken and Djelk Indigenous Protected
Areas (IPAs) in West Arnhem Land - 2 million
hectares located alongside Kakadu National
Park.
The land on which the Warddeken and Djelk
IPAs are situated is of global conservation
significance – extending from the sandstone
gorges of the Arnhem Land Plateau through
monsoon forests to tropical savannas and
woodlands and across seasonal floodplains
to mangrove fringed rivers, coasts, reefs and
islands.
This vast landscape supports enormous
biodiversity because it is connected, intact and
effectively managed. It is home to dozens of
threatened plants, animals and communities:
• sandstone heathlands and anbinik
(Allosyncarpia ternata) rainforests
• the black wallaroo, northern quoll and
Arnhem Land rock rat
• sawfish, dugong and marine turtles
• Leichhardt’s grasshopper, the Oenpelli
python and one of the world’s richest
diversities of reptiles
• the whitethroated grasswren
The sandstone plateau of West Arnhem Land is
a major centre of endemism in Australia:
• Approximately 200 plant, 20 vertebrate and
very many invertebrate species are restricted
to it
• Many of these are of remarkably old lineages
the warddeken and djelk rangers are highly respected locally
and known internationally for their outstanding land management work. They focus on
prescribed burning, introduced species control, weed management, biodiversity monitoring
and cultural site protection. They use traditional principles and methods where appropriate,
while recognising that some issues require science and technology to solve — the result is a
“two toolbox” approach and a unique and robust management partnership between ‘Bininj’
(Indigenous people) and ‘Balanda’ (non-Indigenous people).
7
Our people
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust will strengthen communities in West Arnhem
Land. Some local priorities under discussion include:
•Increasing jobs so that people can find productive work where they live
on their country. Annual salary for a part-time ranger $35,000.
•Building enterprise opportunities that will increase employment and
prosperity in this remote area, such as encouraging women to develop
crocodile enterprises in the skin and art markets. Costs variable.
Every $1 million in the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust delivers $30,000 – $50,000
annually for projects like these.
8
“This work is action.”
There are many benefits associated with a
working life on the country to which people
have strong attachment.
In remote regions like West Arnhem Land
where there are few employment opportunities,
natural and cultural resource management work
and innovative enterprises provide jobs and
reduce dependence on social security.
Improved health, higher self-esteem, greater
social cohesion, staying in touch with an
ancestral past and seeing a brighter future for
children are just some of the benefits associated
with natural and cultural resource management
work. Related education and training
opportunities increase capacity across a number
of areas. Rangers are role models for children,
and schools use natural science to encourage
attendance and teach literacy and numeracy.
Local enterprises already contribute 20% of natural and cultural
resource management costs. For example, Warddeken and Djelk rangers developed
and implemented a methodology for abating greenhouse gases through an adaptation
of customary fire management that uses modern technology combined with ancient
knowledge. The West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (WALFA) Project has led the way
for savanna burning projects across Australia. The WALFA partners were awarded a
Eureka Prize in 2007 for innovative approaches to climate solutions and a Banksia
award in 2011. In its first five years WALFA achieved 140% of abatement targets.
9
Our culture
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust will help maintain rock art, cultural sites,
language and traditional knowledge and will support project approaches to
which cultural heritage contributes vitally. Some local priorities include:
•Fine scale burning over 10 years to protect the thousands of painted
images in caves and rock shelters in priority areas from wild fires.
Cost estimate approximately $40,000 per year.
•A 10-year program for a community to teach and record the deep and
irreplaceable traditional knowledge that is being lost at an alarming rate
with the passing of elders. Cost estimate approximately $20,000 per year.
Every $1 million in the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust delivers $30,000 – $50,000
annually for projects like these.
“We want our children to work with Bininj (Indigenous) and western
10 knowledge, build them up strong and proud of their culture.”
This is a living culture of immense significance.
The Warddeken and Djelk IPAs are home to
more than 100 clans and an extensive linguistic
diversity. Twelve Indigenous languages, each
with a number of dialects, remain in everyday
use.
Ceremonies celebrating a sentient landscape
in which ancestral spirits and creative beings
remain strong elements are part of cultural life
while, at the same time, culture is organic and
responds to change and people engage with
the modern economy and broader Australian
culture.
The music, dance and visual arts from the
region are appreciated locally, nationally
and internationally. The work of rangers
includes caring for important cultural sites and
Indigenous custom guides their management
practice on a daily basis. Ensuring that
customary land management knowledge
continues to be used and is passed from
generation to generation is at the heart of their
work.
the Warddeken and Djelk ipas contain an extraordinary number of
rock art galleries, rivalling in number, antiquity and beauty any other area in the world.
This stunning visual record of human presence in the landscape, changing climates and
the rise and fall of sea levels extends from 50,000 years ago to the present. The presence
of the creation being the rainbow serpent through this entire period is testament to the
oldest continuing spiritual tradition in the world. Amongst the most fragile imagery
are impressions of early contacts between Indigenous people and explorers. Locating,
documenting and caring for the many thousands of rock art sites is an important part of
the work of the Warddeken and Djelk Rangers.
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vision
Current and future generations of
Bininj (Indigenous people) and
Balanda (non-Indigenous people)
will continue to find inspiration
in the environment, culture and
community of West Arnhem Land.
mission
Create a sustainable finance
mechanism that supports Indigenous
communities to protect and manage
the natural and cultural environment
of West Arnhem Land.
values
Collaboration, transparency and
accountability.
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The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust has been formed by Bininj
and Balanda to secure natural and cultural resource
management in West Arnhem Land.
It will ensure
• Financial stability
• Increased independence
• Funding for long-term projects
• Support for enterprise and new revenue streams
• Leverage to encourage co-financing
• Sophisticated project management
• Response to changing needs and emergencies
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust is building
an intial $10 million corpus, with a long
term goal of $30 million, to generate
consistent annual returns. It will be selfsustaining within 15 years.
Annual funds for the management of the
Warddeken and Djelk IPAs
Current
Including the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust
Approximately $4 million
Approximately $6 million
Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust
Government
Government
Local Enterprise
Local Enterprise
Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust
Government
Government
Local Enterprise
Local Enterprise
There are approximately 55 conservation trust funds operating internationally.
Many provide security for some of the world’s poorest people who manage some of its
highest value landscapes.
Assuming 5-7% investment return with 2% reinvested each year to maintain the real value of the Trust.
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board
The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust operates
independently from locally based Indigenous
organisations. It is led by Indigenous
and non-Indigenous Directors, including
experts in natural and cultural resource
management, finance and economic
development. The Directors maintain a strong
focus on succession planning and they are
supported by advisory committees with special
expertise in ecological knowledge and finance
14 and investments.
Guy Fitzhardinge AM (Chair) has
extensive land management, business
and philanthropic experience. In
addition to managing his pastoral
enterprise, he is a governor of WWF Australia
and a director of the Northern Australia
Indigenous Land and Sea Management
Alliance. He has previously been a director of
Bush Heritage Australia, Meat and Livestock
Australia, the Meat Research Corporation and
Chairman of the Beef Genetics Cooperative
Research Centre.
Jessie Alderson has strong
connections to lands within the
Warddeken Indigenous Protected
Area and brings a wealth of land
management experience to the Board. She is a
member of the Kakadu National Park Board of
Management and has also served as a director
of the Gagudju Association.
Jon Altman is a global leader among
scholars looking to explore alternate
futures for Indigenous Australians
linking conservation economies with
poverty alleviation. He was foundation director
(1990-2010) of the Centre for Aboriginal
Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) at the
Australian National University where he is a
research professor in economics/anthropology.
Victor Rostron is a senior Djelk
Ranger with an extraordinary
range of Indigenous and scientific
land management knowledge and
experience. He is a traditional owner of country
within the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area.
Robert Hill AC is well known
nationally and internationally, having
been a member of the Australian
Senate for almost 25 years, Leader
of the Government in the Senate, Minister
for the Environment, Minister for Defence
and Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent
Representative to the United Nations. He is
Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.
Joe Morrison is the Chief Executive
Officer of the Northern Australia
Indigenous Land and Sea Alliance
and has worked with Indigenous
communities to develop local action to care
for their country across northern Australia for
more than 15 years.
Robyn Clubb is a Chartered
Accountant and a Fellow of
the Financial Services Institute
of Australia. She has extensive
merchant banking and finance experience
having held senior executive roles with
Hambros Australia, Prudential Group,
Citibank Australia Limited and AMP Group,
both in Australia and in the UK, China and
New Zealand.
Rosemary Nabulwad is a traditional
owner of country within the
Warddeken Indigenous Protected
Area and she has been a director of
Warddeken Land Management Limited and
other local community organisations.
Matthew Ryan is a traditional
owner from the Djelk Indigenous
Protected Area. He has served on
the Northern Land Council, as a
Councillor of West Arnhem Shire, as chairman
of the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and
as a representative of the Parks and Wildlife
Advisory Council.
“Working with our Balanda friends will help
us continue in our Bininj way.”
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we welcome your
collaboration
The Karrkad-Kanjdji
Trust encourages gifts
of cash and securities,
bequests, matching gift
challenges and gifts in
kind. Gifts are fully tax
deductible as prescribed
by the Australian
Taxation Office.
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The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust fosters
collaborative, long-term relationships
with supporters, and Traditional
Owners enjoy inviting special guests
to visit the Warddeken and Djelk
IPAs. The Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust
provides newsletters and annual
The Nature Conservancy and The Pew Environment Group have provided the
foundational support to allow the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust to begin its work.
your Gift to the
Karrkad-Kanjdji
Trust will
• leave a legacy
• remain intact
• generate many times its initial value
• provide ongoing support for West
Arnhem Land
your Gift may be directed
to one of 4 sub-funds:
1. Country – Caring for the rich biodiversity of West
Arnhem Land
2. People - Supporting capacity, employment, enterprise
and healthy lifestyles
3. Culture - Maintaining rock art, cultural sites, language
and traditional knowledge
• work holistically with the gifts of others
4. Unrestricted - Resourcing the areas of greatest need
• be invested prudently and managed
with a high duty of care
Named funds for particular purposes are considered in
conjunction with exceptional gifts.
Gifts in support of karrkad-kanjdji operations will
reports and is pleased to recognise
• enable the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust to continue towards its $30 million target
the generosity of supporters in
• meet immediate operational needs, including governance support, communications and staffing
communications and at events.
• deliver a very high return on investment
• be necessary only during the establishment phase
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Stuart Cowell
Chief Executive Officer
0427 508 308
[email protected]
Images © Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, Sam Bently, David Hancock Photography Darwin, National
Geographic, and Warddeken Land Management Ltd. Quotations from Warddeken and Djelk Rangers
taken from: Altman, J. and S. Kerens (2012) People on Country Vital Landscapes Indigenous Futures,
Federation Press, Leichhardt; Warddeken Land Management Ltd (2012) Dolkebulhbulh (Ngulkwardde)
& Nabelan (Kordwalewale) Draft Healthy Country Plan 2012-2013, Warddeken Land Management Ltd,
Kabulwarnamyo; Warddeken Land Management Ltd (2010) Warddeken Land Management Limited Annual
Report 2009-2010, Warddeken Land Management Ltd, Kabulwarnamyo; personal communications.
Sophie Davidson
Director of Development
0488 425 325
[email protected]
[email protected]
PO Box 420
Lenah Valley, Tasmania,
Australia 7008
www.kkt.org.au