What we (i.e. Rainforest Aboriginal people, the Authority and Terrain) think about when we talk about the Wet Tropics cultural landscape is people, country and culture (represented by the roots of the tree).
The aspiration we are heading towards is
authenticity, recognition and self-determination (represented by the earth that
the tree is growing in).
We acknowledge that we can’t achieve this
aspiration on our own and that collaborative partnerships between Rainforest
Aboriginal people, Rainforest Aboriginal Organisations, Partners and Community
are essential (represented by the people standing around the tree).
The outcome we hope to achieve is mainstream
cultural capability and accountability and Rainforest Aboriginal sustainable
livelihoods (represented by the strong foundations of the tree trunk).
The result we expect is meaningful involvement in
NRM & World Heritage, sub-regional and regional collaboration, and cultural
leadership (represented by the branches of the tree).
The ‘low hanging fruit’, or areas of focus that we
want to work on and invest in over the next couple of years (represented by the
red fruits in the lower canopy of the tree) include:
- Sharing and learning from traditional knowledge
and contemporary science.
- Telling the story through culturally appropriate
communications.
- Sponsoring learning and networking opportunities
for Rainforest Aboriginal people.
- Strengthening partnerships for working on
country.
- Planning for economic advancement of Aboriginal
organisations.
- Reviewing what we have learnt and maximising
opportunities in World Heritage and cultural listing.
The motivation for doing this (represented by the
upper canopy of the tree) is about:
- Ensuring free, prior and informed consent.
- Understanding the legal complexities and
realising benefits in land management.
- Asserting sovereignty as Rainforest Aboriginal
people.
- Driving regional unity, capacity and influence
around the common interests of Rainforest Aboriginal people and organisations.