Jobs and livelihoods - ways forward for ‘being on country’

1. Jobs and livelihoods - ways forward for ‘being on country’ Jocelyn Daviesa, Josie Douglasb, Hannah Huenekea, Michael LaFlammea, Karissa Preussc, Jane Walkerb, Fiona Walsha. a CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems b Charles Darwin University c Australian National University Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre

2. Livelihoods thinking – understanding the systems that drive well-being Mainstream view  policy • A job tends to be seen as an outcome in themselves, or a proxy indicator for the ‘good life’ Livelihoods view  people centred (concerned with people’s choices and actions) • acknowledges diversity in people’s aspirations • concerned with capability: people’s ability to live the life they want to live, be the people they want to be. A powerful indicator of well-being, correlated with health. • A job tends to be a strategy to achieve other aspirations (eg learning, respect, pride, income, self-reliance)

3. Visible motivation & purpose

4. Financial Natural Social Risks Assets Rules Outcomes Strategies Human Cultural Physical Influence A straightforward way of thinking about sustainable systems to generate health, well-being, income and good land condition The sustainable livelihoods framework • Strategies – what people do • Outcomes/aspirations – what people get or aspire to get • Assets – what people have • Rules – who is allowed to do what • Risks – threats to what people have • Influence – the power to change rules

5. Aboriginal employment success at Desert Park Employees workplace aspirations

6. Employee Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence Enterprise Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence Aboriginal employment success at Desert Park Work at Desert Park Knowledge Social networks Confidence 1) Learning 2) Aboriginal co-workers 3) Aboriginal culture 4) Natural environment Recruitment processes, Workplace culture, Work roles, Traditional owner relationships Aboriginal apprenticeships, employment & training Satisfied visitors Visitor numbers & income enhanced Long term employees Knowledgeable, confident, experienced staff

7. Challenges in Aboriginal employment at Desert Park Employee Leave Desert Park job Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence Support family or community, Be on country Enterprise Individual attention ‘Open door’ Employees leave Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence

8. Language & culture in bush schools Elders’ strategies and outcomes • being actively involved in school education • transmission of traditional knowledge; social, cultural, ecological, linguistic • teaching Aboriginal languages including specialised vocabulary, complex grammar, special ways of talking in particular situations (eg ceremony, funerals, sign language etc) • strong localised identity & well-being (i.e. Warlpiri, Eastern Arrernte)

9. Language & culture in bush schools Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence Elders perspective Supportive policy; Principal sets priorities Relevance of language & culture not clear: no resources allocated Work part time with school, teaching language & culture Young people with knowledge, know-how & relationships; Succession pathways for future generations Valued role in a mainstream organisation

10. Using video to record and share knowledge Young people’s perspectives Learning knowledge • “The old words tell us where we come from, they tell the stories of the dreaming tracks” • In 40 minutes, the old people come up with 200 words… and it just keeps on going! • “We need to record these old people, put it in a computer database.” • “It’s desperate-measures time.” Learning media skills “I love working with old people with the camera.” “We want more projects like this – bring ‘em on!”

11. Using video to record and share knowledge Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence Young people perspective Right person for country; Right ways to use equipment; Small funding. Very large need very small project Go on country with elders, record and edit videos Stronger Aboriginal identity, new communication skills Videos recorded & shared; skills gained for further media work

12. Conservation management Northern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) DEWHA (Australian Government) desired outcomes • Biodiversity conservation • Aboriginal aspirations for country supported • stronger National Reserve (protected area) System • Whole-of-landscape management • Partnerships are created

13. Conservation management Northern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence DEWHA (Australian Government) perspective Resource IPA management; Keep continuity in staff responsible for particular IPAs Plan of Management; Contracts for agreed works; Flexibility given diversity of on-ground situations Instability at community level; Changes in program rules Effective National Reserve (protected area) System, Biodiversity conservation, Landscape connectivity; Strong partnerships Land in good condition; Networks; Community capacity for conservation management.

14. Generating stronger livelihoods through land management in Warlpiri country Yuendumu community aspirations • teaching & learning about culture & country • self-esteem, identity, well-being • meaningful employment • reduced substance misuse & improved social cohesion • improved health • maintaining responsibility to county

15. Generating stronger livelihoods through land management in Warlpiri country Risks Assets Outcomes Strategies Rules Influence Yuendumu community perspective Funding bodies may not resource elders’ involvement Elders & young people go together on country Development of ranger group Young people with knowledge of country, skills, confidence; local employment Sustainable livelihoods (health, well-being, income, cultural maintenance, good land condition)

16. Financial Natural Social Risks Assets Rules Outcomes Strategies Human Cultural Physical Influence Sustainable desert livelihood characteristics • Strategies – diverse and adaptive • Outcomes/aspirations – often integrate land, family, culture • Assets – often people and place-based • Rules – two laws, with few shared rules • Risks – high due to uncertainty of rainfall & government policy • Influence – often low. Inequities are entrenched.

17. Principles for land management to produce sustainable livelihood outcomes (health, wellbeing, income, good land condition), covering… • Authority structures accountable to customary governance of land • Intergenerational learning • Partnerships for two-way learning about environmental change • Management approaches that promote social learning and account for both community and investor aspirations • Attention to diet, exercise, safe working practice and skills development, with investment & infrastructure to support this.

18. Thankyou Collaborating & support organisations: Alice Springs Desert Park Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Australian National University Central Land Council Centre for Remote Health Charles Darwin University CSIRO Griffith University Northern Territory Government PAW-Warlpiri Media Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Community members and staff at Lajamanu, Yuendumu, Anmatjere, Willowra, Ntaria Photos: Karissa Preuss, Michael LaFlamme, Fiona Walsh, Josie Douglas, Jane Walker, Alice Springs Desert Park