Jobs and livelihoods - ways forward for ‘being on country’ Jocelyn Davies a, Josie Douglas b, Hannah Hueneke a, Michael LaFlamme a, Karissa Preuss c, Jane Walker b, Fiona Walsh a. a CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems b Charles Darwin University c Australian National University Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre

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)

Visible motivation & purpose

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 A straightforward way of thinking about sustainable systems to generate health, well-being, income and good land condition Outcomes Financial Natural Human Cultural Social Assets Physical RisksRules Strategies Influence

Employees workplace aspirations Aboriginal employment success at Desert Park

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

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

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) Elders’ strategies and outcomes Language & culture in bush schools

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

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.” Using video to record and share knowledge Young people’s perspectives Learning media skills “I love working with old people with the camera.” “We want more projects like this – bring ‘em on!”

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

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

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

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

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

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. Sustainable desert livelihood characteristics Outcomes Financial Natural Human Cultural Social Assets Physical RisksRules Strategies Influence

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.

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