Aboriginal use and management of the Wet Tropics landscape has shaped the ecosystems of the Wet Tropics region over thousands of years. Practices such as fire management, hunting and gathering, and harvesting of materials for shelter, tools, ceremony or art are essential for the maintenance of Aboriginal culture.
For the Wet Tropics Management Authority, the conservation of World Heritage values is linked with that of Aboriginal cultural and spiritual values. Management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area needs to consider the traditional knowledge and expertise of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples as being interconnected with contemporary natural resource management.
Empowering Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples as the traditional Custodians of the Area’s natural and cultural values and engaging collaborative stewardship within the Area is an important part of protecting and promoting these assets now and for future generations.
The purpose of the Rainforest Aboriginal Engagement Strategy is to improve the way the Authority engages, to involve Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples in World Heritage management.
The Strategy directly connects to the key themes and recommendations of the 'Which Way Our Cultural Survival' report and the Regional Agreement and more recent planning processes.
The principles guiding the Authority’s engagement with Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples include:
- Being a culturally responsible lead agency in collaboration with Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples and the broader network, to ensure accountability to our commitments.
- Improving the way we do things by moving towards a better understanding of ‘good practice’ and strengthening enabling conditions for a rights-based approach to World Heritage conservation.
- Empowering Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to progress their agendas on their terms.
- Showcasing good practice and success stories with a specific focus on different aspects of rights-based approaches.
Sustainable livelihoods
The Authority supports collaborative projects that contribute to the social, economic and cultural development of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples and the conservation and presentation of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
There are opportunities for Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to:
- Get involved in the Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program, training and network events.
- Provide input into scientific research protocols to guide research activities and outcomes in the World Heritage Area.
- Develop strategies and products for presenting and promoting the Wet Tropics cultural landscape.
- Strengthen partnerships with the tourism industry and support emerging Aboriginal enterprises.
World Heritage partnerships
The Authority supports projects, activities and events that empower Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to implement on-country management activities within and adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
There are opportunities for Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to:
Cultural recognition
The Authority facilitates discussions with Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples and other government agencies about the National Heritage Listing of Indigenous values and strengthening recognition of Aboriginal tradition in the management of Area and the potential World Heritage Listing of cultural values.
There are opportunities for Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to: