Plants for people: Case study report

Plants for people: Case study report Report

DKCRC Research Report

• Author(s): Evans, L, Cheers, B, Fernando, D, Gibbs, J, Miller, P, Muir, K, Ridley, P, Scott, H, Singleton, G, Sparrow, S, Briscoe, J
• Published: 2010
• Publisher: Desert Knowledge CRC
• Volume: 55

Link to resource Report broken link

Abstract: The Plants for People project originated from discussions with Aboriginal elders from the Titjikala community, 130 kilometres south of Alice Springs. The elders observed low intergenerational transference of knowledge of traditional Aboriginal bush craft, plant and animal uses, and dreaming stories. This knowledge was remaining privy to the older generation, not as a matter of cultural protocol, but because the interests of the prospective students were prioritised towards Western media and entertainment. This traditional knowledge was seen by the elders as being important to retain the community’s cultural identity and to develop enterprise opportunities of benefit to the community through tourism, horticulture and education. The project focused on identifying ways in which plant use can advance livelihoods, cultural integrity, self-esteem, health and wellbeing within such Aboriginal communities. It involved Aboriginal communities at three case study sites in arid Australia. The major thrust of the project was to develop best practice approaches for documenting and ensuring the survival of traditional knowledge about plants of cultural significance and to use that knowledge to advance the livelihoods of Aboriginal people.

• Urls: http://www.nintione.com.au/resource/NintiOneResearchReport_55_PlantsForPeopleCaseStudyReport.pdf
• Publisher Location: Alice Springs
• Keywords: Traditional knowledge, livelihoods, self-esteem, health, participatory action research, plants for people