Indigenous leadership and collaboration are increasingly part of our DNA as regional NRM organisations; real outcomes are made possible by starting small, staying flexible, and placing Traditional Owners at the centre of work on Country.
During a recent 45-minute Lunch & Lead session, GSNRM shared the story of how a simple conversation with Tagalaka Traditional Owners about pig predation and declining turtle sightings at Tagalaka National Park (formerly Littleton NP) grew into a meaningful, long-term partnership.
Indigenous engagement officer Natarsha Bell closed the session with a poignant reflection on the power of Indigenous-led initiatives.
‘It’s not just a story of getting off the ground and becoming a great ranger team, this is a story about survival and connection to country,’ Natarsha said.
‘One of the things we struggle with as modern day Aboriginals is proving our connection to country, so these kinds of project prove where our hearts and spirits lie on the Country.’
‘In Yalanji we say ‘gugu yaral’ — straight talk with heart and passion, it’s like fire. When that fire goes across the country, so does the truth, that’s what connects us as humans, it’s heart to heart talk,’ she said.
The presentation highlighted both the challenges of securing philanthropic support and the importance of allowing relationships — not funding deadlines — to guide project direction.
The collaboration produced powerful results, including GSNRM’s support in helping the Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation realise a long-held aspiration: establishing a full-time Tagalaka Ranger Program.