Recognising Indigenous Water Rights and Values in NRM Structure, Process and Legislation

Anmatyerr (pronounced u-mutch-er-a) people (tyerrty) seek respect for, and recognition of, their cultural values. The Anmatyerr Water Project covered objectives relating to water, natural resource management, protecting Aboriginal Law and knowledge, training, inter-cultural literacy, and sustainable livelihoods and economies. The main goals of the project were to: 

• demonstrate how to document cultural values of water and translate these into cultural water provisions  
• convey cultural water provisions in ways everyone would know how to make them a reality  
• further understanding of the importance of kwaty for sustaining Anmatyerr culture and the needs of Aboriginal people living within systems of customary law and governance
• inform Aboriginal people, organisations, governments and others who seek to incorporate Aboriginal interests, rights and perspectives into water management and planning.

Prior to this research the treatment of strong Indigenous interests in land, surface and ground water lacked, amongst other things, a model to gather and communicate indigenous water values. There were no examples for ways the Anmatyerr to progress the allocation of water in appropriate, effective and efficient ways. The outcomes lack equity, removed livelihoods and degraded fundamental needs of the indigenous people.
The Cultural Values Report demonstrates how cultural values of water can be better recognised and conveyed into western water planning processes. The report is well structured and provides valuable insights the issues, challenges and opportunities for bringing together indigenous and western governance and management arrangements for water. The level of indigenous engagement achieved in the project and the clear articulation of issues from an indigenous perspective is a significant outcome from the project.
The model, trial and recommendations developed in the program contributed to the Ti Tree Water Management Plan and the ability of the Anmatyerr to have their story, their language and their values considered to achieve livelihoods.

Project Objectives

• In collaboration with Indigenous people, further develop methods for documenting cultural values of water and formats for acknowledging and conveying this traditional knowledge.
• Support training of Indigenous people in research and foster understanding of management processes so that on project completion, individuals can continue as ambassadors for water in their communities.
• Determine existing Indigenous rights and precedents from International and Australian law and negotiated agreements.
• Build working relationships with relevant agencies to explore opportunities for values and rights to be recognised.
• Initiate modifications to NRM structural arrangements, management processes and legislation to better reflect existing rights and emerging priorities surrounding Indigenous issues and water.
• Create opportunities for Indigenous people to achieve economic gain from water, achieve rights and participate in decision making.

More information

Download Indigenous Values and River Flows and The Economic Value of Rivers from the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) website.

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Recognising Indigenous Water Rights and Values in NRM Structure, Process and Legislation. [Online] (Updated September 3rd, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3099 [Accessed Saturday 20th of March 2010 07:33:11 PM ].