Hazards, culture and Indigenous communities project update

This is the May 2018 newsletter from the Hazards, culture and Indigenous communities project, with updates for project end-users.

Engagement: In March, Tim attended the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations’ meeting of knowledge holders to learn more about the Victorian Cultural Burning Strategy and discuss the project with the group. In Canberra, Jess met with members of the Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation, from southern Western Australia, to discuss cultural burning on their exclusive and non-exclusive native title land.

During April, Tim, Jess and Will attended the CRC Research Advisory Forum in Sydney, with end-users Aidan Galpin (DEWNR) and Adam Leavesley (ACT PCS), and lead end-user John Schauble (EMV).

At the beginning of May, Deakin University held a ‘partnership summit’ to discuss current and future research opportunities. The summit was attended by over 50 people including Tim, CRC Research Director John Bates, and Matt Shanks (Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations).

Tim and Jess also presented on the project with Bhiamie Williamson-Eckford at the South-east Australia Aboriginal Fire Forum in Canberra on 10-12 May. Will, Tim and Jess are documenting the workshop for the conveners, the Murumbung Rangers.

Literature review: The literature review has been revised and submitted for peer review and publication.

Publications: Williamson-Eckford, B and JK Weir (accepted), Indigenous knowledges can help control fire but first we must value them, opinion piece, The Global Academy, to be launched June 2018.

Presentations: Neale, T, Weir, JK and W Smith, ‘Hazards, Cultures and Indigenous Communities’, Research Advisory Forum presentation, Bushfires and Natural Hazard CRC, Sydney, 13 April 2018.