Barapa Barapa Indigenous Crew

Project Profile

Issues

Due to the Barapa Barapa’s diminishing connection to country around the Kerang Lakes and Gunbower Forest area, in 2009, the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) sought expressions of interest from the Barapa Barapa community to partake in the 2008-09 North Central Drought Employment Program (DEP). The CMA employed, inducted and trained 12 Indigenous men from the community as part of the 200 strong DEP work crews to undertake cultural and environmental site assessments along the Loddon River in Victoria, from Appin South to Kerang during March to May 2009.

Project Detail

The Barapa Barapa Indigenous Crew has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for its work in identifying Indigenous cultural heritage sites and carrying out detailed natural resource assessments along the Loddon River of Victoria. Significantly, this project has helped the Barapa Barapa community to re-connect with country.

Due to the Barapa Barapa’s diminishing connection to country around the Kerang Lakes and Gunbower Forest area, in 2009, the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) sought expressions of interest from the Barapa Barapa community to partake in the 2008-09 North Central Drought Employment Program (DEP). The CMA inducted, trained and employed 12 Indigenous men from the community as part of the 200 strong DEP work crew to undertake site assessments along the Loddon River in Victoria, from Appin South to Kerang during March to May 2009.

The site assessments by the Barapa Barapa DEP Crew focussed on Aboriginal cultural heritage.  The crew also identified a variety of flora and fauna, pest plants and animals, and assessed river condition, including the detection of deep pools, riparian vegetation, fish habitat, bank erosion, rubbish along the bank, waterway and boundary fencing in need of repair along the 26 km stretch of the River.. This type of field work is a unique blend of certified Indigenous cultural heritage identification with river health assessment that has not been undertaken in the North Central region of Victoria before.

Cultural heritage protection works are of crucial importance to natural resource management in the North Central region of Victoria. Employment of people from the Barapa Barapa community gave them an opportunity to re-connect with their traditional country, whilst identifying and recording 266 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

The DEP work integrated with other projects undertaken by the North Central CMA, such as the Loddon Stressed River project, and a lasting legacy continues with Barapa Barapa community members continuing to be employed via other North Central CMA projects working around the Kerang Lakes.

The Barapa Barapa people have built upon their existing knowledge and understanding of Indigenous ecological and cultural practices to compliment best practice river health management. The integration of these two NRM facets has resulted in a holistic assessment of a priority stretch of the Loddon River that will be utilised to achieve the best possible outcomes for natural resource management.

The Barapa Barapa Indigenous Work Crew project 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

Barapa Barapa Indigenous Crew