Aboriginal knowledge and cultural values of water
Posted by Australian Capital Territory Chapter
Tuesday 7th September 2010 at 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM
Location: Shine Dome, Gordon Street, Canberra , ACT (View map)
Aboriginal knowledge and cultural values of water
An Australian Academy of Science Public Lecture Series on Water management options for urban and rural Australia
Mr Bradley Moggridge
Indigenous Water Research Project Officer, CSIRO Land and Water
Australian Aboriginal people have survived on the driest inhabited continent on earth for many thousands of years, acquiring a deep and intimate knowledge of its landscape and waters, linked to a complex system of traditional lore and customs. Aboriginal people’s connection with country does not separate individual features of the landscape, in stark contrast to non-Aboriginal traditions. The term 'cultural flow' is increasingly being used to describe the water flow needed to ensure the maintenance of Aboriginal cultural and spiritual values. The right and opportunities for Aboriginal people to water are recognised by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and they are formally encompassed in the National Water Initiative 2004. Further work is needed to clearly define a cultural flow, or unravel the differences/commonalities with environmental flows. With a lack of quantitative data on Aboriginal uses and values of water, it is difficult to allocate for Aboriginal water requirements. CSIRO has an ongoing and expanding interest in Aboriginal water management.
Tuesday 7 September 2010, 6–7pm
Shine Dome, Gordon Street, Canberra
Free entry and parking
Refreshments from 5.30pm
Contact: savita.khiani@science.org.au or 02 6201 9462
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