What does respectful and meaningful engagement with First Nations People look, feel and sound like?
Over the course of 2-years, the Cultural Advisory Group for the Native Fish Recovery Strategy (the CAG) has travelled to 6 different regions of the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) to experience Country and share knowledge.
This 8-member group of First Nations People from across the MDB have taken turns to host CAG members on Country, providing 6 unique opportunities to share knowledge and lived experience between themselves, local people involved in native fish recovery, and government agency staff.
From the commencement of this program, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s native fish team undertook a deliberate shift away from conventional government-style approaches towards a collaborative, engaged and immersive model, which placed multi-directional knowledge exchange as the clear priority.
This has led to significant benefits for everyone involved. The CAG has informed the review of the Basin Plan, reflected on the First Nations Recommendations of the Native Fish Recovery Strategy, and provided advice to State agencies involved in fish kill response. The group has experienced a wide-range of local, regional and Basin-scale issues impacting on native fish, ecology and wider MDB outcomes.
CAG members have proudly shared their views on the experience. Members have affirmed that they increased their knowledge and understanding of MDB fish, ecology and water management issues as we’ve worked and walked together. CAG members have formed strong friendships, networks and identified future partnership opportunities.
We present the model used, the challenges overcome, and the opportunities embraced. We provide insights from CAG members and other participants that demonstrate the many benefits of our approach.
The impact and influence of these incredible champions for native fish recovery goes far beyond the group’s formal responsibilities and will be of great benefit to MDB management into the future.