Monthly native title updates
First Nations water rights now recognised in Murray-Darling Basin Plan
First Nations water groups have welcomed changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which will formally acknowledge their connection to water and aim to increase Aboriginal ownership.
The Restoring Our Rivers Bill was voted through the Senate last week with amendments from the Greens. Among those changes were an additional $60 million for First Nations water entitlements, bringing the total funding pool to $100 million.
Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) chairperson Grant Rigney said the legislation delivered long overdue recognition of First Nations.
First Nations SA Aboriginal Corporation update
First Nations Aboriginal Corporation has continued advocating for our state’s Traditional Owners this year.
The Board has recently met with:
- Planning and Land Use Services to discuss the inclusion of First Nations voices in future housing developments;
- Tom Koutsantonis MP and Department for Infastructure and Transport chief executive, John Whelan, to share the importance of collaboration between Traditional Owners and the renewable energy sector;
- South Australians for Climate Action to share First Nations ways of dealing with climate change and biodiversity loss;
- and SA’s Commissioner for the First Nations Voice, Dale Agius, to share concerns about the SA Voice to Parliament.
FNSAAC co-chair, Travis Thomas said, “FNSAAC directors have been discussing the different ways that First Nations people can limit the destruction to Country while facilitating the necessity to uitlise green fuel sources. We must have free, prior and informed consent to lead to constructive conversations.”
While, co-chair Aunty Pat Waria-Read remains optimistic about the ability of the SA Voice to achieve positive change.
“For me, the most important thing now is we actually show that we are united, that the no vote did hurt our community, and a lot of our community members are broken and sad, but our native title groups are looking forward to developing new pathways. We’ve still got the SA Voice, and we’re looking forward to the next steps in South Australia.”
Annual general meeting season
Our team has been busy the past month supporting PBCs with their annual general meetings. AGMs allow PBC members to provide feedback, review board decisions, and elect new directors.
In November, SANTS supported AGMs across SA and interstate – from organising logistics to helping run the meetings in Marla, Berri, Port Lincoln, Point Pearce, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs and Brisbane.
SANTS staff ensured the meetings followed protocol and met the December deadline.
Aboriginal Way has a new look
Our team has been busy the past month supporting PBCs with their annual general meetings. AGMs allow PBC members to provide feedback, review board decisions, and elect new directors.
The latest edition of our quarterly publication, Aboriginal Way is out now, featuring a new layout and branding (thanks to We Create Print Deliver)!
Inside the spring issue you’ll find:
- Tarnanthi Festival 2023
- Federal Court formally recognises Wilyakali people’s native title
- Nantawarrina: 25 years strong
- State Voice to Parliament rolls on following federal defeat
- STEM celebrates over 65,000 years of learning.
Click here to read online
Subscribe here to receive a copy directly to your email or letterbox.
Indigenous Rangers Program grants
Our team has been busy the past month supporting PBCs with their annual general meetings. AGMs allow PBC members to provide feedback, review board decisions, and elect new directors.
The Australian Government has announced they will double the number of Indigenous rangers by 2030. If your organisation is eligible to start a rangers group, it is time to prepare your application.
They will prioritise either:
- women rangers
- regions currently without First Nations rangers
- rangers on dedicated Indigenous Protected Areas.
To find out what you need to do to prepare, watch the information video now available on the niaa.gov.au/rangers page, and contact SANTS on 8110 2800.
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