Firesticks is teaming up with First Nations communities, partner organisations, and graziers to launch a groundbreaking project in Queensland: 'Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience'. With support from the Australian Government's Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust, we're using Cultural Burning and traditional plant knowledge to boost climate resilience, ecosystem health, and agricultural profitability in the region.
Cultural Fire Practitioner Leeton Lee with landholder Jill Sampson on Wakka Wakka Country. Credit: Bella Laifoo
This project aims to deliver a range of benefits for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, proving Cultural Burning to be an effective land management tool.
"A project like this could really carry on forever, purely on the face that science is still playing catch up to traditional ecological knowledge," says Trinity Georgetown, a Lama Lama man and Cultural Fire Project Officer at NQ Dry Tropics. "Scientists come out on Country with us and they are often confirming what we’ve already been told by our Elders."
Together, we're showcasing how traditional knowledge is essential for sustainable land management and how it can be integrated into modern grazing practices, improving profitability and sustainability for Queensland farmers. It's also making a significant positive impact on First Nations communities in the region.
"Ninety percent of the NQ Dry Tropics region is leasehold farmland, so access for Traditional Owners is really low," Trinity explains. "A project like this gives us access to Country. Our Elders get to go out and teach their grandchildren on Country. It gives them hope. This project is a win-win for everyone."
Ultimately, 'Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience' exemplifies how collaboration with First Nations people is best practice for Country, culture, and community.
Burning Programs:
- Tagalaka Cultural Burning Program
- Minjehla Dhagun Cultural Burning Program
- Wakka Wakka Cultural Burning Program
- North Queensland Dry Tropics Cultural Burning Program
Project Partners:
- Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation
- Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation
- Yugambeh Land Enterprises Ltd
- NQ Dry Tropics
- Cape York NRM
- Cunningham Cattle Company: Esmeralda Station
- Plumtree Station: Mick Kingham
- Dreghorn Station: Eiren Smith
- Warrawee Station: John and Kayleen Healing
- Upper Barker Creek: Land Aq Property
- Kurrajong Valley Farm: Jill Sampson
- Shelly Deegreys
