<
https://theconversation.com/a-river-is-our-life-force-why-indigenous-cultural-values-must-be-visible-in-conservation-286657>
"In the Kimberley, Martuwarra – also called the Fitzroy River – is far more
than a waterway.
It is one of Australia’s largest and most intact river systems. It flows about
730 kilometres from the central Kimberley to King Sound in the north of Western
Australia.
Martuwarra supports plants, animals, wetlands, floodplains and communities
across a catchment of about 94,000 square kilometres. For Traditional
Custodians, Martuwarra is living water. It is Cultural identity connected by
Country, kin, knowledge and responsibility.
Many species and ecological communities hold deep cultural, spiritual and
livelihood importance for Indigenous peoples. Sometimes known as Totems, these
Culturally significant entities are not always animals. They may also be
plants, landscapes, waters or other parts of the living world that make up
Country.
Their meaning depends on Country, culture, family, community and the Knowledge
systems to which they belong. But they are rarely acknowledged in national
policy, planning or conservation management systems. And this is what
environmental management can miss when it sees nature only through categories
such as species, habitats, resources or water allocations."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
