The Department of the Environment and Energy has published a new guide to assist people from non-Indigenous organisations build partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.
In a statement, the Department said the guide had suggestions for practical actions to demonstrate respect, build positive relationships and co-create partnerships that provided mutual benefits.
“It aims to provide perspective into what successful partnering with Indigenous organisations or communities might look like,” the Department said.
“Over 15 Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations from Government, business, and not-for-profit sectors contributed to the development of this document.”
It said that through their connection to, and care for Country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were crucial partners in sustaining important environmental services.
“Partnering that involves Indigenous Australians offers unique opportunities to respectfully combine the strengths of traditional and other knowledge and practice, and to find avenues for achieving broader economic, health, social and cultural benefits,” the Department said.
“Potential partners must ensure they are familiar with laws, administrative arrangements and other developments and all partnering proposals must recognise and acknowledge continuing Indigenous ownership of the traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and intellectual property rights.”
It said potential partners must also gain free, prior and informed consent before seeking to utilise any property of Indigenous persons, organisations or communities in their partnering proposal.
The Department’s 16-page guide can be accessed at this PS News link.
