A new pilot program training up more Indigenous youth Rangers has been established to strengthen Care for Country, and to work here on Country in the Biamanga National Park and Gulaga National Park, and in Merimbula National Park. WOOEE spoke with Walbanga Elder Bunja Smith about the initiative, and its vision.
Thanks for speaking with WOOEE Bunja.
Could you tell us a little about the background to this new Indigenous youth Ranger trainee program that Indigenous leaders on the NSW Far South Coast have been working on – and which is just kicking off? I believe it’s been a long time coming with more than two years negotiations with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. And it breaks some firsts and solves some old impasses, with this NSW trial?
It is a requirement of the Management Plan for the Parks that we have Aboriginal Rangers employed. However, the plan stipulates that these persons should be of Yuin decent and a Male for Biamanga and Female for Gulaga. Then NPWS require for you to become a ranger you must have a university degree! With all these requirements it has been difficult to find candidates that meet all of them. We had requested NPWS to accept trained Field Officers into these positions, but they were unable to remove the requirement for a university degree.
So, we had to think outside the square to meet our obligation to employ Yuin Rangers. Since they were not exactly sitting on the shelf waiting for us, we realised we had to grow our own and the concept of Trainee Rangers was pursued.
Being on country is an exhilarating feeling. The land is our mother and working on her and caring for her is a dream job for any Aboriginal person.
Learning ways that were practiced for thousands of years and learning stories that come from old will only strengthen our trainees and our community.
Walbanga Elder Bunja Smith
What’s involved with doing a traineeship ?
This traineeship will require the trainee to undergo on the job learning and attending a university part time (block release) to undertake a degree in Land Management and we are open to the exact course that will be! The trainee will also be offered mentoring by the Elders of the Board of Management
You mentioned that in NSW rangers are required to have a university degree. Is it a requirement in other states?
Yes, not all states require you to have a degree to become a ranger but in NSW that is the requirement.
And what sort of response have you had with applications?
We are delighted with the response we have received there is obviously a lot of excitement around this position and at the close of Applications we had received some 50-52 applications. That tells a great story in itself, there are a lot of Aboriginal people who want to work on country, caring for country and developing their communities.
What might a Yuin trainee Ranger find themselves doing in a day, and where would they be located?
The three positions we have advertised are for the Biamanga National Park, the Gulaga National Park and they will most likely work out of the Narooma Depot but could be posted at other depots such as Tanga. The third position will be based in Merimbula.
As it’s a traineeship we want them to get as broad a training as possible so they could move around the area depending on what is happening and experience a range of duties such as cultural burning, caring for native animals, rescuing native animals, identifying and caring for Aboriginal artifacts and remains and of course strengthening and protecting our cultural and sacred places.
How important is mentorship? And being on Country?
We see mentorship as vital in retention of the trainees, they will face challenges from work, family, friends and even university. And we seek to ensure they know they are supported and are given the best opportunity to succeed and become a qualified Rangers.
Being on country is an exhilarating feeling. The land is our mother and working on her and caring for her is a dream job for any Aboriginal person.
Learning ways that were practiced for thousands of years and learning stories that come from old will only strengthen our trainees and our community.
It sounds like a Win Win on so many levels – Care for Country, shared and continuing Knowledge, tertiary study, jobs created, economic gains, with other huge positives for the whole community at a broader level.
What does it mean here on the South Coast? For the rangers’ lives? And for growing community?
This is the first time NPWS have agreed to create trainee ranger positions in NSW so it is very much a pilot program and a model that could be rolled out across the state in other national parks and even dare I say state forests.
It means economic independence for the rangers and their families by giving them sustainable meaningful ongoing secure employment. The secret to employment is getting paid to do something you love doing! And Aboriginal people love looking after country and its wonders.
It grows the community by giving hope to others. For younger ones coming up to look up and see their older brother or sister going to work looking after our land is edifying. For Elders to see their young men and women doing what Aboriginal people have done for thousands of years prior to colonisation ‘care for country” gives peace and fulfilment.
What are your hopes for the future? What would you love to see, Bunja?
I would love to see this become a biannual scholarship. The Biamanga and Gulaga Scholarship. Training and developing our people in land care practices. I would love to see it expand into aqua culture and farming incorporating traditional methods. It would create jobs for the mob and economic independence for our people. Land councils have some land assets, with the right investment either from government or entrepreneurial sources this can become a reality!
After the Spring-Summer 2019-2020 Fires – the so called ‘Black Summer Fires’, over 80% of Yuin Country was burnt.
That’s devastating and unprecedented in recorded history. A large conversation seems to have opened up nationally about Cultural Burning, and about listening up, and learning from Traditional Custodians of the Land. Increasingly, Climate Change is impacting heavily on nature, on our resources, our food supplies, and is changing our lives, fast!
What do you see, Bunja?
Not so much what I see but what I worry about and that is that Aboriginal people are now thought of as the silver bullet! We can’t undo 200 years of colonial effect on the land with one cultural burn. Land management and shaping is done over decades not overnight. It will take time to heal the land and restore country. There is singing and dancing that must also occur, let’s not forget that!
What must we do?
Climate change must be attacked on all fronts if we our to save our mother earth! At the moment we see a people movement to fix our problems. But for us to be successful we must all pull together and the governments at all levels must change their policy, their attitudes and their actions if we are to turn this destructive path we are on around. And we must do it, or there will be no tomorrow!
What does Country mean for you?
Everything!
What’s your philosophy about finding solutions? And opportunities?
I believe I am a simple man and employ simple solutions like the KISS method (keep it simple stupid) It does not need to be hard or complex just pick up your rubbish behind you and lower your emissions. Tread carefully with respect on mother earth and she will look after you in return!
Some people look for WIN/WIN situations. I believe all situations are a WIN/LEARN situation. There is no loser if you learn from your mistakes and don’t keep making them!
And thirdly, attack the problems not the people! There is no grace or lesson in berating someone. Focus on and find the solution and take people with you as you go.
Walawaani
Safe Journey
Thanks so much Bunja, it’s been great to chat with you, and so encouraging to learn about this important new traineeship program. All the best for its next stages. WOOEE looks forward to hearing more ahead!
Read more here – https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-02/nsw-first-indigenous-ranger-program-trial/100428334
WOOEE 2022
