Conservation and Indigenous partnerships key to future of Cape York

The Wilderness Society Inc & Wik Projects
Joint Media Release
24 June 2009

Partnerships between Traditional Owners and conservation groups are laying important foundation stones for a brighter future for Indigenous communities on Cape York, the director of peak indigenous group Wik Projects, Gina Castelain told a meeting of the Australian Government Working Group on Advancing Reconciliation in Natural Resource Management in Cairns yesterday.

“Most traditional owners and groups like The Wilderness Society have a lot in common. We want to enhance traditional owners’ connection to country and protect our homelands, at the same time as creating new employment and business opportunities in land management, tourism, and the emerging carbon economy. Through cooperation, we are a stronger voice,” said Gina Castelian, Director of Wik Projects.

Wik Projects is working with the Wilderness Society on a strategy for environmental protection and homelands development under a new agreement. The two groups have recently formed a new partnership to support the protection and management of the natural and cultural values of Wik, Wik-Way and Kugu country, and to create Indigenous jobs and businesses in the conservation economy.

“Traditional owners are developing a 21st century approach to Aboriginal land management - an approach that delivers on Aboriginal self-determination through employment, ownership and entrepreneurship, and maintaining and developing connection to country. Our traditional land is our pathway out of passive welfare to achieve socio-economic standards similar to mainstream Australians,” Ms Castelain said.

The Wilderness Society’s Anthony Esposito said that the conservation values of Wik, Wik Way and Kugu homelands, the development needs of the community, and strong traditional connections to country, present an opportunity to get beyond the old ‘development versus conservation’ arguments and work together for sustainable prosperity.

“Our agreement is focused on finding cooperative solutions to the issues of conservation and development in northern Australia,” he said. “This mutual approach means we will ensure there are lasting agreements over rights and interests in land, and opportunities for traditional owners to develop businesses and employment in the conservation and carbon economies.

“Cape York’s environment is globally unique and important, and the Wik and Wik Waya homelands have some of the most exceptional values on the Cape,” Mr Esposito said. “The Cape’s natural and cultural assets are of global significance and constitute one of the natural competitive advantages for development”.

Wik Projects and the Wilderness Society are focusing on the real and multiplying threats to the environment in northern Australia, as well as the significant cultural, economic and social benefits that protecting and managing its natural resources provides.

“Working with environmental organisations has resulted in gains to Indigenous people, including the handback of homelands, Aboriginal-owned protected areas, legislated Indigenous water rights under Wild River declarations, and jobs and resources in land management,” said Mr Esposito.

“Through cooperation we can gain a fundamental settlement on land rights and ownership of natural resources. We will all benefit from such an outcome,” he said.

Further Reading

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As much of the planet's life systems are lost, we urgently need innovative ways of looking after the iconic landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity of Australia. Contemporary conservation principles, together with Indigenous ecological knowledge and the expertise of Indigenous Traditional Owners are creating new ways for addressing the cluster of environmental issues facing our ancient continent. More >>