Each year, National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for everyone to learn about First Nations histories, cultures and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation. This year’s theme was Be a Voice for Generations, encouraging all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
Natural Hazards Research Australia is in a unique position to promote and support First Nations reconciliation within the Centre and throughout the natural hazards research sector, as guided by our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. National Reconciliation Week was an opportunity to inspire and motivate this change, and the Centre shared some First Nations research and activities with our network throughout NRW.
First Nations research
Healing Country through Wolgalu/Wiradjuri-led land management
We spoke to Megan Considine (Brungle-Tumut Cultural Natural Resource Management Officer) and Prof Lisa Slater (University of Wollongong) about a new project that is healing Country by supporting the Wolgalu/Wiradjuri community's ongoing land management. Learn more about this project here or watch this short video:
Cultural land management research and governance in south-east Australia
Oliver Costello (Jagun Alliance) and Dr Tim Neale (Deakin University) explained new research that is building ethical connections between Traditional Owners, Indigenous land managers and government in south-east Australia. Learn more about this project here or watch this short video:
Connecting Indigenous people and the EM sector – effective partnerships
In collaboration with the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance, this project is bringing Indigenous community representatives from northern Australia together with emergency management and relevant agency representatives to build effective long-term partnerships. Learn more about this project here.
Involvement and engagement with First Nations people in disaster management
On Wednesday 31 May, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance and the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation hosted a workshop as part of the Local Government Association of Queensland's Disaster Management Conference. The workshop brought together a panel to discuss different ways to involve and empower First Nations people in building integrated approaches to disaster management and community disaster resilience in Queensland, and the role that research can play in enabling and supporting this. Learn more about this workshop here.
First Nations events
National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Summit
This inaugural Indigenous-run event will take place in Meanjin/Brisbane on 21 August, prior to AFAC23, and is hosted by Fire to Flourish (Monash University) with support from Natural Hazards Research Australia and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. The National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Summit will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, emergency management practitioners and agency heads to build awareness, share new thinking and network, beginning the long-overdue conversation between and about Indigenous peoples' disaster resilience. Learn more and register here.
