Frank Young – Indigenous Award

Project Profile

Issues

Due to his ability to effectively engage with the broader community, governance and administrative systems, Frank Young has been a great supporter and advocate for the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary management to produce a number of highly successful Landcare and natural resource management (NRM) outcomes in the APY Lands over the past 20 years.

Project Detail

Frank Young has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for his ongoing contribution to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and advocate for the Anangu people.

As a traditional Anangu (Yungkunytatjara) man who has lived in the APY Lands all his life, Frank is committed to ensuring that all traditional country (and natural and cultural resources) are managed appropriately to support traditional culture, as well as the lives, economy and health of the Anangu people of the region.

Due to his ability to effectively engage with the broader community, governance and administrative systems, Frank has been a great supporter and advocate for the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary management to produce a number of highly successful Landcare and natural resource management (NRM) outcomes in the APY Lands over the past 20 years.

As Director of APY Land Management and a Board member of Alinytjara Wilurara NRM, Frank has led and worked in partnership on many programs with State and Federal Government agencies, Indigenous agencies and communities – including the various traditional communities in the APY Lands. These include Landcare projects such as pest ant and animal control, rock-hole protection and maintenance, the Indigenous Protected Area program, NRM projects (including biological surveys and threatened species programs) and other projects such as the Department of Environment and Heritage Kuka Kanyini project at Wataru.

All of the projects have had significant positive outcomes for the natural and cultural resources of the APY Lands and have also benefited the APY people through the maintenance of significant cultural sites and traditional culture and subsequently the health, wellbeing and economy of the community.

Through his work, Frank has helped develop knowledge, understanding and appreciation of his traditional culture and the needs of his people and has made a valuable contribution to the APY Lands.

Frank Young is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

Frank Young