Processes for effective management: learning from Warlpiri people and agencies involved in the Northern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area

Abstract:

Global concerns for sustainable development, biodiversity conservation and Indigenous participation have led to the development of new protected area governance regimes. Such regimes do not however guarantee that Indigenous management agendas are achieved alongside those of the state, and are often criticized as a result. Within Australia, Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) are seen to embody the challenge of accommodating Aboriginal values, objectives and processes within management practice. IPAs promise much: equity and participation by enhancing Aboriginal control in management, recognising the cultural, spiritual and economic significance of land to Aboriginal people and greater support for economic and social development. If IPAs can deliver on such goals they can make considerable contributions to enabling Aboriginal landowners to achieve sustainable livelihoods. This research uses the Northern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) as a case study to examine Aboriginal interests in protected area management. Specifically it asks what conservation outcomes are important to Aboriginal people in protected area management? Knowledge of Aboriginal interests in and processes for management will help improve the on-ground management of arid Australian protected areas by identifying the gap between local, regional and national management agendas and processes. Preliminary findings illustrate diversity between local, regional and national management agendas and processes. Aboriginal interests are motivated by cultural and emotional attachments to country, with outcomes that range from cultural to economic. National and regional agendas are driven principally by the need to curtail environmental costs and threats, and promote outcomes such as remote livelihoods. Better cross-cultural understanding of agendas and adaption of management processes are required if management is to be effectively sustained. This research principally involves senior Warlpiri women on the Northern Tanami IPA management committee. Two of these women will co-present by talking about their processes for managing country.