Indigenous fire and land management - impact and sustainability

This research brief aims to develop a future research strategy, develop a strategic partnership framework and explore research priorities. It is broadly recognised within Indigenous communities that EM is carried out FOR them, not WITH them. This has generated increased interest, not only in the future engagement of communities in EM, but in the roles, if any, of EM and other agencies in the resilience of communities who, given structural and resource limitations in EM, are keen (and encouraged) to increase ‘self-reliance’ and take on more responsibilities in this space. There is now a growing conversation nationally around government agencies and Indigenous communities collaborating more effectively. Much of this conversation has been around the perceived positive impact of traditional knowledge (particularly use of fire) on landscape health, and vulnerability to wildfire, how this may be integrated into rural fire service practice and what the real impact of this might be.

This research brief concludes with next steps, including:

• At the local level, relevant EM agencies and community leaders to start or progress work on their relationships and achievable change now.
• For the next and future collaborative workshops to be planned and funding secured so they may become annual, focused, Indigenous led pillars of EM sector partnership.
• Engage with existing collaborators and potential funders to provide financial support to continue the momentum of Indigenous and EM engagement and networking.
• The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC/Natural Hazards Research Australia, with this project’s research leaders, connects this research with other CRC funded research carried out in parallel through the Firesticks, UNSW partnership and considers a forum for Indigenous voice I the broader national conversation (north, south, east and west) about partnership building.