The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and their staff acknowledge the First Nations people with connections to the Murray–Darling Basin.
We respect and value the knowledges and science held by First Nations people. As well as their responsibilities for Country, culture and community.
We appreciate and respect the knowledges and science First Nations people have shared with us. They have taught us about their Country and cultures to inform environmental water management.
First Nations people we work with have identified the importance of truth telling about water management and power imbalances in the Murray Darling Basin.
We acknowledge that frameworks and processes for how environmental watering is managed has not been determined or endorsed by First Nations people.
We respect the need for further truth telling and will be guided on this by First Nations people.
The CEWH values the relationships we currently have with First Nations people.
We are committed to continuing to build relationships with First Nations people. We will work to understand how we can support them to care for Country in ways that they determine.
We recognise that we can do more to support First Nations leadership in environmental watering. We will be guided by First Nations people on how to support this.
Partnering with First Nations people
Our approach to partnering with First Nations people focuses on 3 key areas:
- listening to understand the aspirations of First Nations people
- exploring opportunities that empower and support the aspirations of First Nations people
- building the confidence of our staff to engage with First Nations people and their cultures.
We developed our approach based on:
- our experiences working with First Nations people
- the feedback and advice we have received from First Nations organisations and people
- the commitments, objectives, and broader programs of the Australian Government.
Our approach is adaptive and will be updated as required. This will ensure that it reflects the diversity of First Nations people, their identities, cultures, and Country.
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Support First Nations people to care for Country
We aim to provide meaningful opportunities for First Nations people to care for Country. These opportunities can include:
- delivering water for the environment
- funding in projects that protect the environment
- supporting participation in partnerships and decision-making processes
- monitoring, evaluation and research.
Build partnerships with First Nations people
Our partnerships are based on the principles of voice, truth and knowledge.
Voice
First Nations people have a voice in decisions made about their Country.
Ask First Nations people how their voice should be represented.
Truth
Listen to truth about the impact of water management on First Nations people, communities and their Country.
Knowledge
Create opportunities for two-way knowledge sharing.
Understand how to acknowledge, and protect knowledge shared by, First Nations people.
Build confidence of our staff to engage with First Nations people and their culture
We encourage staff to engage in meaningful education about important issues and history. This includes:
- remuneration
- Native title
- Indigenous data sovereignty
- Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.
First Nations environmental water partnerships pilot program
Through our program, we have set up partnership agreements with 3 organisations. The pilot program supports environmental watering in the Murray-Darling Basin by:
- achieving outcomes identified by First Nations people
- helping meet environmental water outcomes.
The pilot partnership agreements are with:
- Nari Nari Tribal Council
- DJAARA, a Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation enterprise
- Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club.
The pilot program will end in June 2027. However, that will not be the end of this important work. We will continue to work with First Nations people to identify future opportunities. These will support First Nations leadership in managing environmental water.
Find out more:
- New partnership to provide First Nations leadership on Central Victorian environmental watering
- Partnership Agreement between Nari Nari Tribal Council and the CEWH
How to get involved with us
If you would like learn more, contact a Local Engagement Officer near you.
You can also check out our local stories and news to learn more about how we partner with First Nations people.