Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub

Aboriginal people have a unique way to understand the world. This unique way is based in ‘more than human’ relational notions of an interconnected cosmos. This unique relational worldview is encapsulated in the concept of ‘Country’. This relational concept of Country is enacted through the practice of Aboriginal culture, or we might say, Aboriginal Science and this can offer a valuable and alternative knowledge view to sustainability problems that we face today.

The Aboriginal Land and Sea sector has built up around the development of economic and employment opportunities for Aboriginal Communities as land owners and managers. This industry sector is based in the utilisation of Aboriginal Cultural practices in Land and Sea management, it is a growing industry sector that requires research and professionalisation support to enable and empower Aboriginal Communities to care for Country and share a greater understanding of Country as a way of being.

A major frustration experienced by Aboriginal people in Caring for Country is being able to bring this knowledge and worldview to bear on these sustainability problems we face today while taking advantage of the economic and employment opportunities this presents. Through significant UNE internal and external consultation (Appendix 3 for overview of external consultation), the proposal for the University of New England’s Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub was developed with the intention to support and empower this important emerging industry sector.

The Case for an Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub at UNE

The University of New England’s Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub (UNEALSH) will support the development of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Sector with strong Research output and government engagement to support greater engagement and understandings of Aboriginal Cultural Practice, Science Aboriginal Land and Sea Management. UNEALSH with its partners Oorala, UNE Partnerships, Aboriginal Community and Government will focus on creating pathways into higher education and research for Aboriginal people wanting to build their capabilities in the Aboriginal land and sea management sector empowering revitalisation, nurturing and growth of Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Aboriginal Science.

With the Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub, Aboriginal people will be supported to revitalise Cultural land and sea management practices. They will be able to do this through improved higher education and research opportunities based in Aboriginal Science. These education and research opportunities will be delivered in a way that respects Cultural needs and protocols and, that deliver place-based education and research to address local Country based issues that support local communities and builds capacity in the Aboriginal Land and Sea Management Sector.

The hub will provide a ‘Community of Practice’ that supports early career Aboriginal academics, Aboriginal students, Aboriginal communities engage with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students and academics and our partners which will provide support for understanding how to partner with Aboriginal Communities in carrying out research with Aboriginal communities, around Aboriginal land and sea management, and to do this while learning about Aboriginal Knowledge Systems and Aboriginal Science.

The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub is a powerful enabler to enact the vision of University of New England’s Reconciliation Action Plan and the Universities Indigenous Education Strategy 2019 to Grow, Embed and Empower Aboriginal Knowledge, Students and Communities across Regional NSW.

The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub model

The model that the Hub utilises empowers Aboriginal Science as an equal knowledge system to Western Science and that as partners greater opportunities exist for Cultural revitalisation and economic outcomes for Aboriginal People.

A strong research capacity is essential to build the knowledge behind the foundation of the future of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Sector and provide greater research support in Cultural revitalisation. Increasing Aboriginal student engagement, retention and completion requires strong Aboriginal Academic Mentors and role models, revisioning of what academic outcomes and success means, increasing research product and capacity, education opportunities that are place based lifelong learning and Aboriginal Community codesigned.

The Hub’s model is:

Develop a strong research capacity in Cultural Practice, Aboriginal Science and Aboriginal Land and Sea Management to deliver research and undertake joint research projects with our partners.
With UNE Partnerships provide Micro credential, Vocational Education and Training, and University units and courses in Aboriginal Land and Sea Management supported by a centre of strong research capacity in Aboriginal Science, Cultural Practice and Land and Sea Management.
to jointly work with Oorala, Aboriginal Community organisations and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to support students to smash through the glass wall that currently exists between Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education and Research to succeed at University to increase capacity in Aboriginal Land and Sea Management;
seek multi-level Community-based research projects with diploma students, undergraduate and post graduate students working on ‘Project-based learning’ activities that are directly derived from local Aboriginal Community Land and Sea Management issues.
The Hubs ‘Community of Practice’ will provide a place for partners to exchange knowledge and ideas while supporting greater understanding for internal UNE staff to partner with Aboriginal Communities in carrying out research with Aboriginal communities, around Aboriginal land and sea management, and to do this while learning about the importance of Aboriginal Knowledge Systems and Aboriginal Science.

This model meets the aspirations and requirements set out in the Hubs research and consultation with the Aboriginal Land and Sea Industry Sector to develop the Hub and University of New England’s Reconciliation Action Plan and the Universities Indigenous Education Strategy 2019 to Grow, Embed and Empower Aboriginal Knowledge, Students and Communities across Regional NSW. It also allows Aboriginal organisations to provide support to students, students to support each other and, the Aboriginal Community organisation to support the development of skills in the Community.

To implement this model, the Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub requires investment from the University of New England to fund core research, mentoring and coordination resources needed.

Outcomes of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub

Through the use of this model the Hub will:

Increase the research base and knowledge that supports Aboriginal Communities undertake Aboriginal Land and Sea management and Government to value and understand Aboriginal approaches and the operationalisation of Aboriginal Land and Sea practices in contemporary land and sea management.
overcome the actual and perceived barriers of Aboriginal people entering higher education and research, to get Aboriginal people into position where they can carry out research on their own Land about their issues;
develop Aboriginal Science as a discrete school and area of research within UNE to support the aspirations of Aboriginal people in higher education and research, provide employment a for Early Career Aboriginal Academics in Aboriginal Land and Sea Management, give Aboriginal students the content they need to study to Care for Country, and provide champions and mentors in the field of Aboriginal Science to inspire future students;
provide pathways from the current vocational education and training methods to allow Aboriginal people to move into higher education and research, while developing skills in research and providing for Cultural support and education;
provide a ‘Community of Practice’ to support university staff, students and local Aboriginal communities in coming together to achieve the objective of increasing Aboriginal communities’ capacity in Aboriginal land and sea management.
- The ‘Community of Practice’ will operate as a forum for people to come together to develop grant applications, new training and learning opportunities, work with government to facilitate greater understanding of Aboriginal Science, and provide opportunities for workshops and conferences to allow Aboriginal people to showcase their Aboriginal land and sea management approaches;
provide support for non-Aboriginal staff and students to carry out research with Aboriginal communities, around Aboriginal land and sea management, and to do this while learning about Aboriginal Knowledge Systems and Aboriginal Science.

Goals of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub

These goals were identified through the initial consultation within UNE and external stakeholders:

1. Develop successful pathways that engage Aboriginal people in research and knowledge exchange:

a) increase engagement of Aboriginal students in research leading to positive outcomes for Aboriginal communities and UNE;
b) support for Aboriginal communities to revitalise Cultural practice leading to greater capacity for Aboriginal communities to undertake Social, Cultural and Economic development for their Communities;
c) increase cultural awareness, knowledge and skills for teaching, science and research among UNE staff;
d) develop and provide programs for Aboriginal students through micro-certification
and pathways to qualifications in Aboriginal land and sea management that allow transition to University;
e) develop a Community of Practice in Aboriginal land and sea management that can provide cultural, mentoring and research support for Aboriginal communities, students and UNE staff;
f) develop a strong research output in the areas of Aboriginal knowledge and Cultural practice in support of best practice Aboriginal land and sea management.

2. Develop capacity for the management of Indigenous Protected Areas, National Parks and other lands held by Aboriginal people through the integration of Aboriginal practices and Culture with western science:

a) foster engagement and understanding between Aboriginal land and sea management researchers and policy makers so that the best possible outcomes are achieved;
b) better land management - biophysical and cultural that exceeds relevant standards
and provides for diversification of income (e.g., carbon sequestration, training, tourism);
c) engage local communities and NSW state agencies in the management of Mt Duval.
that integrates Aboriginal Cultural Practice with western science, provides training opportunities, and ensures best practice Cultural management of the UNE SMART Farms

3. Increase capacity within NSW Aboriginal communities to derive Community development from land and sea management:

a. develop the ability of Aboriginal communities to provide governance, leadership and an enterprising approach to sustainably generate land management positions and outcomes.

Principles of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub

The following principles were identified as critical to the success of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub:

Principle 1: Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub acknowledge that Aboriginal students seek different outcomes from their Higher education and research experiences with a greater focus on family, Cultural responsibilities to Country and Aboriginal Community development. The Hub ensure these outcomes are given priority in the development of any programs.

Principle 2: The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub acknowledge Aboriginal people have the right to protect and develop their Knowledge Systems and Aboriginal Science and, recognise the contribution that Aboriginal Knowledge and Science has, and is, making to western science in Australia, in the development of all its programs.

Principle 3: The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub investigate the relationship between Aboriginal Science and western science.

Principle 4: The Aboriginal Land and Sea provide opportunities for Aboriginal communities andAboriginal students to participate in the co-design of training, education and research opportunities.

Principle 5: Cultural Safety is a key element in the development of any programs from the AboriginalLand and Sea Hub.

Principle 6: The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub should with (all its engagements with Aboriginal communities) include Aboriginal vocational and secondary students in the community. This is important to raising awareness and increasing aspirations to engage in higher education and research.

Principle 7: The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub acknowledge (in the development of all its programs) that increasing Aboriginal engagement in higher education and research is an intergenerational problem and should provide pathways from vocational education and training to higher education and research.

Principle 8: The Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub ensure that content developed is representative of what Aboriginal people do and need in Aboriginal land and sea management.

Principle 9: Aboriginal mentors be allocated to Aboriginal students; preferably prior to enrolment and throughout their learning journey.

Principle 10: All mentors have mental health first aid training.

Principle 11: All research and education services from the Hub are developed and delivered within an Aboriginal Cultural Framework. This Framework is to include a focus on the local understanding of where education and research is being delivered and uses Aboriginal Knowledge Systems to develop Aboriginal land and sea management capacity.

References

HOOPER, S. B. 2020. Report on the outcomes of Research and consultation related to the development of the University of New England’s Aboriginal Land and Sea Hub

HOSSAIN, D., GORMAN, D., WILLIAMS-MOZLEY, J. & GARVEY, D. 2008. Bridging the gap: Identifying needs and aspirations of Indigenous students to facilitate their entry to university. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37, 9-17.

HUNT, J., ALTMAN, J. & MAY, K. 2018. Social benefits of Aboriginal engagement in natural resource management, Canberra, ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The ….

KORFF, J. 2020. Aboriginal students in higher studies at university [Online]. Available: https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/education/aboriginal-students-in-higher- studies-at-university [Accessed 1/12/ 2020].

NULUNGU RESEARCH CENTRE 2015. Cultural and natural resource management feasibility report. University Notre Dame.