Native Oceans Traditional Knowledge Exchange

Transcription

1 Native Oceans Traditional Knowledge Exchange

2 This is global... Today more than ever I find myself confident, encouraged, motivated, excited and most committed to this sea turtle conservation work. Gabriel Hoeffer: Director Grupo Tortuguero ii

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5 Contents Executive Summary...2 Talking Exchange...4 Part One: Mexico... Oceans Apart; United in Action...5 Part Two: Australia... Adding our grain of sand...13 Reflections...32 Appendices The appendices listed below can be downloaded from the NAILSMA website. Visit 1. Voices from Country: A collection of quotes from participants on the Native Oceans Exchange 2. Cultivo De Ostras Para Producción De Perlas, En Friday Island, Torres Strait, Australia (Cultivation of oysters for pearl production, InThursday Island, Torres Strait, Australia) 3. El Océano; Unidos En La Acción (Oceans Apart; United in Action) 4. Participant Quotes and Exit Survey from ISTS Meetings Generated by Comcáac Exchange Participants 6. The Seri Scholarship Program 7. Media Release 8. Publicity 1

6 Executive Summary The Native Oceans Community Exchange Program is a partnership between Ocean Revolution and the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). The exchange program creates opportunities for Indigenous and Traditional peoples to share knowledge, skills and experiences about the biological and cultural values and conservation and management of marine and coastal environments. It builds on early work by Ocean Revolution in fostering ecological collaborations within the Comcaac people of Sonora Mexico. Supported by The Christensen Fund, the inaugural exchange featured an on-country visit to Mexico by Indigenous land and sea managers from Australia in January 2008, and a visit to northern Australia by the Comcaac of Sonora Mexico in November In conjunction with the exchange, activities and projects conducted throughout 2008 built on the learnings and experiences gained by the exchange participants. These included: a scholarship program for the Comcaac; and collaboration between the Comcaac and the Australians on the I-tracker project. I-Tracker is a network of Indigenous Land and Sea managers who are working together to collect and share information for better land and sea management. The exchange proved to be a huge success with cultural knowledge and marine turtle management knowledge exchanged freely between the participants resulting in greater understanding and the exchange of new skills. However the greatest achievement of the program was the motivation and camaraderie it inspired a message clearly expressed by participants in the stories Oceans Apart; United in Action and Adding our Grain of Sand. The spiritual outcomes of the exchange can be linked solidly to long-term and tangible outcomes. Notable examples include: The Comcaac were successful in obtaining grants from the Mexican Government for turtle management projects. The Comcaac report that it was the inspiration gained from meeting the Australian delegates, whose skill in presentation and successful working relationship with government motivated them to make their own presentation to the Mexican Government. Torres Strait Islanders finalised eight community management plans for turtle and dugong during The Islanders attribute in part the motivation gained by witnessing the dire situation faced by turtle populations in Mexico, and learning about the Comcaac decision to stop hunting turtle as a result, as a direct contributor to the Island communities success in finalising the complex plans in a short timeframe. Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson Toshie Kris spoke about the success of the Torres Strait communities in finalising their community based turtle and dugong management plans and summed up the value of the exchange program. The amount of information that you could exchange, from one Indigenous group to another, it was never you can t weigh that in dollars. You could weigh it in gold, but not in dollars. It was worth a lot more than what money could buy. And I think that really helped, said Mr Kris. Based on the success of the exchange, Ocean Revolution and the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance have committed to continue their collaboration in the Native Oceans Exchange Program. 2

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8 Talking Exchange Indigenous people from Australia and Mexico talk about their experiences and learnings from an international exchange of culture, knowledge and friendship. 4

9 Part One: Mexico... Oceans Apart; United in Action Words by Djawa Yunupingu, Managing Director Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation; Frank Loban, Dugong and Turtle Project Liaison Officer for TSRA/NAILSMA and JCU Masters student; Kenny Bedford, TSRA/NAILSMA Project Officer Erub Island; and Stephen Ambar, Head Community Ranger Hammond Island. Pictures by Kenny Bedford and Frank Loban. Compiled by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance. 5

10 The sea cultures of Indigenous people from coastal northern Australia and Mexico may be oceans apart, but for the Australian Indigenous land and sea managers who attended the 2008 Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation in Mexico, the 15,000 km journey revealed as many similarities as there were differences. The Australian delegation included Djawa Yunupingu from north east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, and from the Torres Strait; Frank Loban from Maluiligal nation, Kenny Bedford from Erub Island and Stephen Ambar from Hammond Island. Rod Kennett, NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project Coordinator and Mark Hamann, JCU Research Fellow also travelled with the delegation. The Australians were invited to attend the symposium and take part in a cultural exchange by the Comcaac (also known as Seri Indians by people outside of the Comcaac community). The location of this year s symposium (academic conference) was the small seaside town of Loreto on the Mexican Baja California Peninsula, and was a temporary home to the Australian delegation as well as 1000 scientists, conservationists and Indigenous land and sea managers from 60 nations. The theme of this year s symposium was Native Oceans and it was hosted by the Comca ac. It s good to go to international conferences. We can meet people from around the world and share our ideas about turtle management and conservation. We learnt about new methods being developed by scientists to manage turtles, respond to natural disasters and different methods for rehabilitating sick or stranded animals, said Mr Yunupingu. Mr Bedford described the experience as an excellent learning opportunity, as well as a chance to promote the work of Indigenous Rangers in Australia. The symposium was a very valuable experience, not only to learn from others around the world about the various issues relating to turtle conservation and management but to also promote the good work we are doing in our respective communities in Northern Australia, said Mr Bedford. Mr Ambar acknowledged the dedication of the Comcaac hosts towards the management and conservation of marine turtles. The symposium is a chance from us to learn from people like the Seri about the issues they are faced with and how they address them. Stepehen Ambar: Head Ranger Hammond Island 6

11 The Seri Indians have been involved in turtle management projects for many years, but in the Torres Strait it is only in the last few years that communities have become actively involved in turtle related activities. Now there is a growing enthusiasm in the Torres Strait to participate in turtle, dugong and other natural resource management projects on our country. The symposium is a chance for us to learn from people like the Seri about the issues they are faced with and how they address them, said Mr Ambar. For Mr Loban, the conference also represented an opportunity to take back to the Torres Strait ideas about management policy relating to turtles that had been developed by other Indigenous land and sea managers from around the world. The theme of the conference [Native Oceans] was an acknowledgment of Indigenous issues surrounding land and sea management. Indigenous people from around the world have been involved in conservation for millennium. For us [Indigenous people], conservation is not a new buzzword, it s apart of our culture we live closely with our environment and have strong cultural ties to it. Attending the conference was a real eye-opener. It made me realise how lucky we are in Australia to have stable populations of turtle. It enabled me to see the bigger picture to see what has happened in other parts of the world before it happens here [in the Torres Strait]. We are lucky to have this information while our turtle stocks are still healthy, said Mr Loban. 7

12 ... although we still traditionally harvest turtles in our community; we also support research and are developing strategies and implementing projects that help to sustain turtle populations... Kenny Bedford: TSRA Alternate Debuty Chair The Australian delegates attended the Pacific Nations Meeting at the conference and were invited to make a presentation on the issues faced in northern Australia and some of the initiatives Indigenous people are involved in to address these issues. I spoke about some of the challenges of trying to introduce a management plan for the first time in my community, and discussed my role as Project Officer on Erub Island for the Dugong and Marine Turtle Project, said Mr Bedford. I explained the social and cultural diversity between islands in the Torres Strait and the importance of developing local community-based plans that suit the needs and aspirations of respective communities. I stressed that although we still traditionally harvest turtles in our community; we also support research and are developing strategies and implementing projects that help to sustain turtle populations in our region, said Mr Bedford. Mr Bedford provided insight for the attendees at the meeting on the complexities of cultural diversity in the Torres Strait. 8

13 Mr Yunupingu presented the Dhimurru video Life of a big ghost net at the meeting. At the end of our presentation, we received a big round of applause from the people attending the meeting. They were impressed by our work and our dedication to maintaining healthy sea country; that we care about turtles, and that the government provides funding [through the Natural Heritage Trust] to our communities [involved in the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project] to allow us to continue our work, he said. A major aspect of the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project, which is driven by Traditional Owners, is to build networks amongst Saltwater People that are linked to governments and the scientific community. The conference has enabled this network to be extended internationally, with the delegates making connections with scientists and Indigenous people from around the world, and gaining them access to international resources available to people concerned with marine turtle management and conservation. Once such group is Grupo Tortuguero a network of individuals, communities, organisations, and institutions who are dedicated to sea turtle conservation. The Comcaac are members of Grupo Tortuguero. 9

14 As hosts of this year s symposium, the Comcaac held a welcome to country where they performed their Leatherback Turtle ceremony at a welcome social. At a separate event, the Comcaac hosted a public forum where they formally welcomed each of the 50 Indigenous participants taking part in the symposium. 15 Indigenous nations were represented including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations from Australia, as well as Indigenous nations from Mexico, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, and Venezuela. Representatives from the Torres Strait presented the Comcaac with a framed Dhari (head dress). Mr Yunupingu presented them with a yidaki (didgeridoo) on behalf of the Yolngu people but not before the skilled musician gave the audience a performance of music from north-east Arnhem Land. Everybody s eye s lit-up when they heard the sound of the yidaki. I think they were moved to hear an ancient instrument being played. The yidaki has been around for more than 60,000 years. For most of the people, this was the first time they heard a yidaki. It made hair stand up on end! Mr Yunupingu explained. Mr Bedford spoke with the Comcaac at the event and described the relationship between the elders and youth in the Comcaac community as encouraging. I emphasised the importance of ensuring we, as Indigenous peoples, maintain and transfer our cultural knowledge between generations, and that it is a shared responsibility by all members of our respective communities, said Mr Bedford. Mr Bedford extended an invitation to the Comcaac to visit Erub community in Torres Strait. I look forward to their interaction with our community, and to the opportunities they will have to experience our culture and environment and to learn about what we are doing to manage and conserve our sea turtle populations, said Mr Bedford. 10

15 This was the beginning of a special relationship between the Comcaac and the Indigenous delegates from Australia as it signalled the commencement of a formal knowledge exchange program. As part of the exchange, the Comcaac invited their guests from Australia on a two-day tour which included island visits and tours of rock painting galleries. I could see similarities and differences between Seri and Aboriginal people through the rock paintings. Their paintings were similar to ours the colours were similar but the stories were different, explained Mr Yunupingu. Their stories praise the turtle. The turtle made the earth. The tone of the tour changed dramatically when the delegation visited a beach that told a very modern and disturbing story. Mr Yunupingu explains. Hundreds of turtle carcases littered the beach. It was very saddening to see such devastation. There was no official explanation, but some people think the carcases may belong to turtles caught as by-catch by fisherman, said Mr Yunupingu. Witnessing such devastation brought home to the delegation from Australia the crisis facing turtle populations in other parts of the world. It helped to explain the drastic measures the Comcaac have taken to protect their turtle populations. Because of the outside pressures on the turtle populations, the Seri were forced to make a sacrifice I hope we [in the Torres Strait] will never have to make, said Mr Loban. The Seri stopped hunting turtles many years ago. They have sacrificed a part of their culture over their concern for the dwindling numbers of turtle brought about by the modern pressures the region now faces. As an Islander man, I find it hard to comprehend such a sacrifice, but I commend the Seri on their strength to make such a decision. Hunting turtle represents so much to Torres Strait Islanders, if fulfils sustenance, medicinal and cultural purposes. To stop hunting would represent a major lost to our culture. Conservation is apart of our culture. We conserve so we can consume. We are lucky that Australia s turtle populations are still stable. We have to work together to keep it that way, said Mr Loban. The Comcaac and the Indigenous people from Australia are now collaborating on the I-Tracker project a new method for monitoring turtle populations that combines the latest technology with the traditional skills of Indigenous people. The knowledge exchange will continue throughout the year and a delegation of Comcaac is scheduled to make a visit to northern Australia towards the end of the year. Native Oceans Exchange is coordinated through a partnership between Ocean Revolution and the North Australian Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) Dugong and Marine Turtle Project. The Mexican exchange was funded by The Christensen Fund and supported by the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Dhimurru Land Management, Grupo Tortuguero Comcaac and Comcaac Native Oyster Project. Additional Travel funds were provided by James Cook University. The Dugong and Marine Turtle Project is supported by NAILSMA, through funding from the Australian Government s Caring for our Country. For more information visit:

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17 Part Two: Australia... Adding our grain of sand Words by Gabriel Hoeffer, Director Grupo Tortuguero Comcaac; Mayra Estrella, Cultural Director Director Grupo Tortuguero Comcaac; Alberto Mellado, founder of the Comcaac Native Oyster Project; Patrick White, Dhimurru Sea Ranger; Djawa Yunupingu, Managing Director Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation; Alison Anderson, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage;, Northern Territory Government; Warren Canendo, Ngadjon Traditional Owner; Frank David, Gab Titui Cultural Centre Gallery Officer; Toshie Kris, Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson; Stephen Ambar, Hammond Island Community Ranger; Henry Garnier, Torres Strait Traditional Ownerl; George Nona, Torrest Strait Artist and Craftsman; and Malawup Nona, Torres Strait Community Leader. Pictures by Joshua Kitchens, Gabriel Hoeffer, Mayra Estrella and Alberto Mellado. Compiled by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance. 13

18 The Australian continent is home to more than 200 Indigenous cultures each with their own custom, law and language. Those living by the sea often refer to themselves as Saltwater People, highlighting their deep connection with the ocean forged over millennia. In November 2008, Aboriginal people from north east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory and Islanders from the Torres Strait in Queensland, took turns in welcoming another group of Saltwater People to their shores the Comcaac from Sonora Mexico. The Comcaac (also known as Seri Indians by people outside of the Comcaac community) arrived in Australia to continue a cultural exchange that had commenced earlier in the year when an Australian delegation visited the Comcaac in Mexico. The Comcaac delegation included members of the turtle conservation group Grupo Tortuguero Comcaac: Gabriel Hoeffer, Director; Mayra Estrella, Cultural Director; and Alberto Mellado, founder of the Comcaac Native Oyster Project. Also joining the Comcaac were exchange partners Ocean Revolution and the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) represented by Tim Dykman, Co-Director of Ocean Revolution; and NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project staff Rod Kennett, Coordinator; and Joshua Kitchens, Communication Officer. Nhulunbuy in north east Arnhem Land was the first port of call for the delegation. Nhulunbuy (from the local language name Nhulun ) is an area of great significance for the Yolngu the Traditional Owners of the country. The area also became a place of significance in post-colonial Australian history when in 1963 Traditional Owners drew up the now famous Yirrkala bark petitions. The bark petitions made plain the Yolngu people s objection to the lack of consultation over mining in the area and raised their concerns about the impact of mining on their lands. The petitions were the first traditional documents recognised by the Australian Parliament and in turn became the first documentary recognition of Indigenous people in Australian law. The Yirrkala bark petitions are on public display in Australia s Parliament House. Today, Nhulunbuy is a regional centre and a mining township supporting the nearby open cut Bauxite mine and refinery. To minimise and manage the impact the township was having on the natural and cultural resources of the area, the Yolngu formed what is now called Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, commonly known as Dhimurru. Dhimurru has grown to become an important and respected part of the wider community. The public face of Dhimurru is the land and sea ranger program, which in many respects is leading the way in Indigenous land and sea management in northern Australia. The Dhimurru Rangers took the Comcaac on a patrol of the sea near the town to give the visitors a first-hand look at their work on the water. Led by Sea Ranger Patrick White, the group visited islands managed by Dhimurru who use a permit system to control visitor numbers to some of them. 14

19 They are very committed to their work and conservation and protection of their Indigenous territory which is good to find on the other side of the world because we are doing the same. Gabriel Hoeffer : Director Grupo Tortuguero Mr White explained how he became a sea creature (Sea Ranger) to the delegation and the range of work the Rangers are involved in. Mr White left an impression on the Comcaac who commented about the contributions Dhimurru was making. They are very committed to their work and conservation and protection of their Indigenous territory which is good to find on the other side of the world because we are doing the same, explained Alberto Mellado. For Gabriel Hoeffer the opportunities the organisation had created for Yolngu people stood out as being significant. [Dhimurru] have created job options for Indigenous communities to find other sources [of employment] that provide a better way of life for the communities is really important, said Mr Hoeffer. Perhaps the biggest impression of all was felt by a man whose boat had become stranded in the middle of the harbour. Rescued by the delegation and towed safely to shore, the man had nothing but high praise for the Dhimurru Rangers. They re doing a fantastic job for their country. Understanding and knowledge is really important and these guys have got heaps of knowledge about their country, so for balanda [white people] like us who come here, it s important that we learn from the guys, he said. The day ended with discussions about the importance of the cultural exchange and how it was contributing to the knowledge of both groups. But it seems cultural exchanges are not new to Yolngu culture as Mr White explained. It s a part of Yolngu thing you know. Like for example, Yolngu go to another place to share language or knowledge of the land or of the whole area. It s just to communicate and have the network you know, have that good link with other Ranger groups, said Mr White. 15

20 The next day the delegation was invited to attend a meeting Dhimurru was hosting with the Northern Territory Government s Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage; Alison Anderson. Ms Anderson, an Indigenous woman from central Australia, spoke highly of the Dhimurru Rangers and was delighted to see a cultural exchange between the Yolngu and Comcaac taking place. It s really good to see the Seri here on Dhimurru land and making sure that they understand and exchange ideas as well, so they can take ideas back from them, Ms Anderson said. This is what we have to encourage more of cultural exchanges and getting ideas from one another, because not one thing is perfect and we can learn from each other, she said. The tour continued with a visit to the nearby Yolngu community of Yirrkala where the itinerary included a visit to Buku-Larrnggay Mulka a world renowned art centre featuring traditional and contemporary Yolngu art and the local community school. Both destinations offered the Comcaac visitors an immersion experience of rich Yolngu culture that will stay with them forever. I ve fallen in love with the Indigenous children, said Mayra Estrella after being welcomed with song and dance by the children at Yirrkala Community Education Centre. I will always keep it in my heart and I will take the feeling and share with our communities back in Sonora Mexico, she said. Ms Anderson also spoke about the importance of partnerships being made with the wider community and Indigenous land managers. I think [it] is very, very important that we have partnerships with Indigenous Rangers or environmentalists on the ground because our people know about the land, they know about the environment, they know about the oceans and the rivers because it s a part of us, she said. 16

21 This is what we have to encourage more of cultural exchanges and getting ideas from one another, because not one thing is perfect and we can learn from each other. Alison Anderson: Minister for Environment & Parks, Northern Territory Government 17

22 Djawa Yunupingu is the Managing Director of Dhimurru and one of the people who travelled to Mexico for the initial cultural exchange in January. Alberto Mellado explained how the Dhimurru example of combining Traditional expertise with western science had provided great inspiration for the Comcaac Nation. He asked Mr Yunupingu to speak about this in a message of hope for the Comcaac elders in Mexico. we do this both ways learning, Mr Yunupingu explained. Both ways learning is learning the western scientific knowledge and the local Traditional Knowledge which all Indigenous people from all over the world have only the Indigenous people can see and have and understand. A lot of the non-indigenous people are still trying to gain from us, so my message there is, we are well adapted, we can do this we can in the hope of you people being recognised, and the same in Australia. We are still looking out the window to be able to be recognised as the first Australians and you people on that side of the world are still trying to have that hope in being recognised as the custodian s that your forefathers and our forefathers once had, and once walked on the face of the earth, which was rightfully ours, Mr Yunupingu concluded. From the Yirrkala community the delegation travelled to view a cultural site managed and maintained by the Dhimurru Rangers. Wurrwurrwuy stone pictures gallery is on a site close to the ocean that faces north to Indonesia. The pictures in the gallery tell stories of the Macassans who traded with Yolngu people centuries before the colonialisation of Australia and who only stoped their trade 100 years ago when the colonies voted to become a federation. As well as maintaining the site, the Dhimurru Rangers provide visitor interpretation in the form of signage, and maintain pathways for tourists who want to visit the area. The Comcaac were able to witness one of the tools the Rangers use to maintain the site fire. After having explained the stories behind the artworks, Djawa Yunupingu and Patrick White set the cultural site alight the fire being used to clear the area of dry grasses a traditional practice that is common in northern Australia for managing country. When asked what impression this practice had made on the Comcaac, the reply was very simple. Es caliente! (It is hot!) The final item on the itinerary, and the final experience the Comcaac would share with the Yolngu was a trip to the sacred site Nhulun. A Dhimurru Ranger explains. We went up to Nhulunbuy Hill where we went up and stood strong for the land. That area is a sacred site area and a long time ago, the Yolngu people fought for that Hill fought for the land, for a land rights case. They stood proud and strong upon the hill with their spears. Nhulun was to provide another special moment, this time for the Yolngu Rangers and their Comcaac brothers and sister who had begun sharing traditional stories with one another on the site. Each group was struck by how similar their creation stories were so much so that one Dhimurru Ranger commented... it s like we are from the same tribe, just a different clan. Nhulun was to be a fitting place to end the exchange in north east Arnhem Land. A lot of the non-indigenous people are still trying to gain from us, so my message there is, we are well adapted, we can do this Djawa Yunupingu: Managing Director Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation 18

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24 From the tropical savannas of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory to the wet tropics of the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, the delegation experienced more than just a change of scenery in the next stop of their itinerary. The Atherton Tablelands are home to the Ngadjon people and the delegation took up an opportunity to meet with Traditional Owners and elders from the region to have a look at an innovative computer program the group are using to manage their country. Ngadjon Traditional Owner Warren Canendo explains. Us as Traditional Owners wanted to have our own database empower us as Traditional Owners to look after our own concerns and our own culture, said Mr Canendo. Within that database you can hold your music, your dance, management tools, site recording forms anything It s a good database because it s, you know, for the elders and all of that getting that information and putting it on the database so it can be kept for future generations, Mr Canendo said. The promise of a database that could record Traditional Knowledge for the Comcaac Nation struck a chord with Alberto Mellado. You have touched a concerned that we have, because we are concerned about our elders passing, said Mr Mellado. I think [our] Traditional Knowledge has not been lost because [the elders] pass their knowledge through the histories and talking but it is still their Traditional Knowledge. We all know where the traditional areas are and how important they are, but we have to have something like this we have to, he said. Mr Mellado went on to comment more about the computer program. It s amazing how they have integrated all their cultural information and photos and all kinds of associated things with the sights and they can update and they can introduce more information as long as they consider it important, he said. The computer program was originally developed in central Australia for Indigenous people in the region to manage their cultural and environmental heritage. The program is available to any Indigenous group under a free, creative commonstype copyright arrangement. The program can be customised to suit the needs of each group using it. The Ngadjon people simply call their database the Ngadjon Cultural Heritage Information Management System. Mr Canendo and elders from Ngadjon community then took the delegation on a tour of their country. Included were visits to Tutamonlin (Malanda Falls Conservation Park) and the Malanda Environment Centre; Lake Eacham; a 500 year old Curtain Fig tree that was traditionally used as a courthouse by Ngadjon men; and the Birrar Walking Track where the Comcaac took the opportunity to sample some bush tucker. 20

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26 The Torres Strait is comprised of more than 250 islands. To the south of the island group is Cape York Peninsular the most northerly point of the Australian mainland, and to the north is the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. The Torres Strait is remarkable for many reasons: the diversity of culture; the unique ties with Papua New Guinea; and the birthplace of Eddie Mabo a campaigner for Indigenous land rights and famous in Australian history for his role in a landmark decision of the High Court of Australia that overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius land belonging to no one. A significant achievement of recent times is a world-leading approach by Traditional Owners of the Torres Strait in community management of sea resources that combines Traditional Knowledge and practice with western science and research. For some 20 years, the Australian Government tried to impose a top-down approach for the management of marine turtle and dugong in the region with no success. In 2005, The Torres Strait Regional Authority s newly created Land and Sea Management Unit, under the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project, began to develop communitybased management plans. In 2008 the Land and Sea Unit finalised eight plans signed off by the communities involved and approved by the Australian Government no small feat when you consider the complexities involved and the short timeframe of just three years. The delegation was welcomed to the Torres Strait by Frank Loban; Senior Natural Resource Management Officer for the Torres Strait Regional Authority s Land and Sea Management Unit; and guide for the group while they were in the region. 22

27 Our Elders [are] always the backbone of everything we do they hold the key to wisdom and understanding of life and they are the key to our future. Frank David: Gallery Officer Gab Titui Cultural Centre Mr Loban met the Comcaac in Mexico earlier in the year when he attended the International Sea Turtle Symposium in Loreto and also took part in the first stage of the cultural exchange with the Comcaac. The group headed for Thursday Island the administrative centre of the region and location of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Frank David, a traditional owner from the Central Islands took the delegation on a personal tour of the Cultural Centre. He explained the meaning behind the name of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre and told of the importance the Centre holds for the people of Torres Strait. Gab is the Eastern Island [word] for journey and Titui is the Western Island language for stars, so it s journey of the stars and that actually is where we actually revitalise our culture, explained Mr David. [The Gab Titui Cultural Centre] actually helps us create a future for the present people. Our Elders [are] always the backbone of everything we do they hold the key to wisdom and understanding of life and they are the key to our future, he said. The Comcaac were clearly impressed by the Centre and discussed the possibility of building a cultural centre for the Comcaac Nation in Mexico. Update: From discussions to reality just three months after their visit to Australia, the Comcaac have commenced building their own cultural centre, under the leadership of Gabriel Hoeffer, in Desemboque, Sonora Mexico. The delegation left the Culture Centre late in the afternoon but was to return that evening for an official welcome to Torres Strait organised by the Torres Strait Regional Authority and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council. 23

28 We are all sailing the same ship regardless of whether it s going north, south, east or west whether it s motorised or not. Toshie Kris: Chairperson Torres Strait Regional Authority The night of festivities began with official welcome speeches from senior Torres Strait officials and was followed by an exchange of gifts. The Comcaac, who had arrived at the event in traditional dress, responded with their own words and a song by Mayra Estrella who delighted the crowd with her beautiful rendition of a traditional Comcaac song about turtles. In dramatic fashion, drums started to beat calling the Comcaac to centre stage. Out of the darkness appeared a troop of traditional dancers, accompanied by musicians creating music so powerful it could be felt. The Comca ac were to witness a truly dramatic display of Torres Strait culture filled with power, passion, heart and humour. The Comca ac were moved by the event and the power of the dancing and music took them by surprise. Mayra Estrella could be seen clasping a necklace gifted to her by the Torres Strait people as she held it close to her heart during the hourlong performance. The event was truly breathtaking. A feast followed the official welcoming and the Comcaac enjoyed relaxed conversation with the Islanders, including Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson Toshie Kris. Mr Kris spoke about the community management plans for turtle and dugong they had developed. I think that we are one of the really good stories of how through a partnership approach,we can implement sustainable management plans and still practice traditional culture and most importantly, recognise how Indigenous people live off the land and the sea, said Mr Kris. Mr Kris then outlined some of the key events that led to the development of the community-based management plans and told the Comca ac how just a few years ago, the traditional use of turtle and dugong in the region had become a national issue. All of a sudden people were saying you know the newspaper and the wide world... that Torres Strait Islanders were murderers killing innocent turtles and dugong but they did not understand the tradition and culture or our way of life. So we had to move to make drastic actions to have some sustainable management plan in place, explained Mr Kris. The Authority established the Land and Sea Management Unit and begun working with other Indigenous groups in Northern Australia through the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project. That provided us with some funding to produce what we call community-based plans in the management of Dugong and Turtle. The great thing about that was we were actually getting traditional and cultural law implemented and recognised, he said. Mr Kris then spoke about the importance of exchanges and how the meeting with the Comca ac earlier in the year had contributed to the development of the community-based management plans. we then found out that we can actually learn a lot more from other Indigenous groups throughout the country, said Mr Kris. We worked with the Northern Territory Aboriginals because of how the movement of those species [turtle and dugong] takes them from northern Australia to Queensland and it was through the involvement with NAILSMA that they talked about travelling to Mexico to look at what is happening over there. The Torres Strait delegation visited Mexico to participate in a cultural exchange with the Comcaac and to present at the International Sea Turtle Symposium; where they spoke about their development of local community management plans for turtle and dugong and their turtle research work with Dr Mark Hamann of James Cook University. When Kenny, Frank and all the others went to Mexico and came back and they gave the report and we thought well it was like sending them back to another Torres Strait. They were going from one home to another and the issues were the same, the principals were the same all of a sudden we are all sailing the same ship regardless of whether it s going north, south, east or west whether it s motorised or not, he said. 24

29 Mr Kris spoke about the impact that had been made when the Torres Strait delegates visiting Mexico earlier in the year witnessed the devastation to turtle populations resulting from the commercial activities of non-indigenous people. He explained that the decision by the Comca ac to stop hunting to protect the remaining turtle populations had shocked a lot of Islanders, but commanded a lot of respect at the same time. For any Indigenous group to make that step, to actually ensure the safe sustainable management of those species, then you know, you actually have to give credit to the people you know, to take that stand, said Mr Kris. The dire situation in Mexico brought home the reality of what might be faced by the people of Torres Strait if they didn t act to maintain the abundant numbers of turtle and dugong the region currently enjoys. If we were not going to put a management plan in place, then one day we are never going to have turtles in our area. There will never be turtles, there will never be dugongs. Mr Kris concluded by reiterating the importance of cultural exchanges. If you look at the value of travelling a group of Indigenous people from Torres Strait to Mexico to look at what was happening there to bring that information back, you can t match it in dollars, said Mr Kris It was worth a lot more than what money could buy, and I think that really helped, he said. After hearing the story of how the community-based management plans had been developed in Torres Strait, Alberto Mellado wanted to highlight to Mr Kris the gravity of the decision to stop hunting turtles in the Comca ac community. I just want to share with you a short story. It s about when the first person of our tribe was placed on earth, according to our stories, it was a man and he had two options. There was a horse to the right of him and there was a vessel to the ocean. So he had two options two choices riding the horse, or going into the ocean. His first choice was to ride the horse and he fell to the ground the horse threw him away. So then he went into the ocean and he got the vessel. Then swam in the ocean and caught a turtle. He brought the turtle to the coast and killed the turtle and ate it. So that was our first meal since we were created. Now you can imagine how difficult it was to take away this culture, but I think it s bigger, the feeling of thanking the sea turtle. Because once they were food they made what they had to make for us, now we have to make what they need, said Mr Mellado. The next day was to be a busy one with activities planned that would take the Comcaac by ferry to a number of islands within the Kaiwalagal (Inner Islands) region. The first stop included sightseeing at Muralug (Prince of Wales Island), the largest island in the Torres Strait group. The delegation then headed west for Gialug (Friday Island) to visit Kazu Pearl Farm. The pearl farm is run by a Japanese Man, Kazuyoshi Takami who has been farming pearls from Gialug since After a delicious Japanese Lunch, Mr Takami took the delegation to view his sea-side laboratory and workshop. When Mr Takami heard Alberto Mellado was the founder of the Comcaac Native Oyster Project, he gave the group a detailed demonstration of how to seed an oyster to produce a pearl something other visitors don t normally get to see. The delegation also had the opportunity to sample fresh oyster meat, which in true Japanese fashion was served with soy sauce and wasabi. Delicious! Update: From demonstration to documentation after returning to Mexico, Alberto Mellado prepared a thorough report on the cultured pearl demonstration offered by Mr Takami. The illustrated report is now available in Spanish and shares the knowledge gained by Mr Mellado with the Comcaac community. The group headed to their final destination for the day, Hammond Island. The island is home to Community Ranger Stephen Ambar, one of the delegates from Torres Strait who met with the Comca ac during the first exchange visit in Mexico. As the ferry docked on the island s jetty, the group was met by an enthusiastic Mr Ambar who had been waiting ten months for the opportunity to welcome the Comcaac to his island. Mr Ambar was accompanied by Traditional Owner and Elder Henry Garnier and the pair took the delegation on a personal tour of Kirrirri. Stephen Ambar explained his enthusiasm for meeting with the Comcaac once again. It is very lovely to have them people on my Hammond Island here where I live and work as a Community Ranger. Turtle conservation is a very important thing for our lifestyle and livelihood for the future of the generations to come, and working together with the Indigenous people from overseas would help the cause immensely. After viewing some of the sites around the town settlement, the Comcaac met with island resident George Nona, a young and accomplished artist who specialises in the creation of traditional masks and Dhoeri (headdresses). Mr Nona took the delegation on a tour of his workshop and 25

30 The next day was to be a busy one with activities planned that would take the Comca ac by ferry to a number of islands within the Kaiwalagal (Inner Islands) region. The first stop included sightseeing at Muralug (Prince of Wales Island), the largest island in the Torres Strait group. The delegation then headed west for Friday Island to visit Kazu Pearl Farm. The pearl farm is run by a Japanese Man, Kazuyoshi Takami, who has been farming pearls from Friday Island since After a delicious Japanese Lunch, Mr Takami took the delegation to view his sea-side laboratory and workshop. When Mr Takami heard Alberto Mellado was the founder of the Comca ac Native Oyster Project, he gave the group a detailed demonstration of how to seed an oyster to produce a pearl something other visitors don t normally get to see. The delegation also had the opportunity to sample fresh oyster meat, which in true Japanese fashion was served with soy sauce and wasabi. Delicious! Update: From demonstration to documentation after returning to Mexico, Alberto Mellado prepared a thorough report on the cultured pearl demonstration offered by Mr Takami. The illustrated report is now available in Spanish and shares the knowledge gained by Mr Mellado with the Comca ac community. The group headed to their final destination for the day, Hammond Island. The island is home to Community Ranger Stephen Ambar, one of the delegates from Torres Strait who met with the Comca ac during the first exchange visit in Mexico. As the ferry docked on the island s jetty, the group was met by an enthusiastic Mr Ambar who had been waiting ten months for the opportunity to welcome the Comca ac to his island. Mr Ambar was accompanied by Traditional Owner and Elder Henry Garnier and the pair took the delegation on a personal tour of Hammond Island. Stephen Ambar explained his enthusiasm for meeting with the Comca ac once again. It is very lovely to have them people on my Hammond Island here where I live and work as a Community Ranger. Turtle conservation is a very important thing for our lifestyle and livelihood for the future of the generations to come, and working together with the Indigenous people from overseas would help the cause immensely. After viewing some of the sites around the town settlement, the Comca ac met with island resident George Nona, a young and accomplished artist who specialises in the creation of traditional masks and Dhoeri (headdresses). Mr Nona took the delegation on a tour of his workshop and spoke of his passion for reviving this art form. 26

31 I try to spread it all over Torres Strait, so they can revive the culture and keep it going. The main point is reviving the culture, said Mr Nona. Dhoeri s are powerful symbols for Torres Strait people and they are used in important ceremonies. Traditional materials often include turtle shell highlighting the importance of turtle in Torres Strait culture. Mr Nona s work can be seen in the National Museum of Australia. In February 2009 his work featured in the Gallery of Modern Art exhibition Contemporary Australia: Optimism. The delegation travelled in convoy across the island, making their way to a summit that offered spectacular views of the neighbouring islands and beyond a perfect spot to reflect on the journey so far. Traditional Owner and Elder Henry Garnier had a personal interest in the exchange having held the portfolio of Fisheries during his 13 year political career. Mr Garnier spoke about his work and his hopes for the future. I handled a portfolio of fisheries, and one of our main thoughts was protection of turtles and dugong, explained Mr Garnier. A lot of the world s interest has been centred in Torres Strait because we are seafaring people. Our islands are small, not like the mainland, and we depend entirely on the sea our resources come from the sea that s how we survive. To stop [hunting turtle] completely would be a disaster for us and we would like, together with government, to put something in place not only nationally but internationally to protect, especially the turtle, which is migratory. But we can t only do it ourselves because this is an international matter, he said. Mr Garnier also shared his concerns about dugong, a resource that Torres Strait Islanders share with neighbouring Papua New Guinea. We have to meet with Papua New Guinea to come to some sort of an agreement as by way of protecting dugong. I know it s going to be a hard long road, but eventually I think we will find an answer that is agreeable to all involved, he said. Mr Garnier then turned his attention to the visiting Comcaac and expressed his joy in meeting the members of the exchange delegation. It gives me a great pleasure to know that there are similar people living on the other side of the world like us and our problems all seem to entwine together. I am sure that by swapping information and all that, we will get to minimise the problems we have, he said. 27

32 The new day brought a new chapter in the exchange journey. The delegation, together with new recruits Frank Loban and Stephen Ambar, made their way to the airport for the last stage of their Australian adventure a trip to the Eastern Islands of the Torres Strait region and in particular, Mer (Murray) Island. As the plane neared Mer, the beauty and richness of the region became apparent. Crystal clear water surrounded the island in vibrant blue. The island, nestled on the eastern edge of the Great Barrier Reef, was blanketed in deep green foliage. The desert-faring Comcaac had arrived at a tropical oasis. That afternoon the delegation was taken on a tour of the small island led by respected community member Councillor Ron Day. The delegation saw the diverse landscapes the island had to offer from sandy beaches on the western side, to flat plains of black volcanic rock that stretched from the foot of an extinct volcano into the sea on the east. At the heart of the island was thick tropical forest only accessible by small dirt tracks. Almost hidden amongst the foliage was an unassuming grave site. There were no indications that the delegation had arrived at a site of national and international significance no signage, no car park, no tourist facilities just a well cared-for grave in a clearing in the forest. The inscription went on to say, His involvement in black affairs dates back to the early 1960 s. The most important one was the Murray Island Land Claim known as Mabo Case. He put so much of his strength, his inspiration, his fighting spirit and his wisdom into the case which has profound significance, not only for the Murray Islanders, but also for the Torres Strait, Aboriginal people and Indigenous people everywhere. After a quiet moment and time to reflect, the delegation headed back to town to prepare for an official island welcome and feast planned for that night. The island community had been preparing all day to welcome the Comcaac. The community hall had been decorated with green foliage strung from the walls and ceiling the green a symbol of new life. A feast had been prepared by an army of cooks and the range of food on offer could not be matched by any city restaurant. Despite the size of the hall, the number of people from the community attending, and the grand sense of occasion, the room felt more like a family room in a private home than a public venue, and the hosts like family welcoming a relative back to the island. On close inspection of the tombstone it was clear the delegation had arrived at a very special place. The inscription on the tombstone read, In loving memory of Edward Koiki Mabo. 28

33 The Comcaac were treated to a sing-a-long, with children and adults alike coming to the stage to sing and dance in a show that was organic and infectious. Later that night, after having seen a few of the local moves, the Comcaac were invited to the stage to participate in a number of dances. The Comcaac took up the challenge with great enthusiasm and delighted the crowd with their unique interpretation of the local dance. The Comcaac responded to the generosity of spirit shown to them by the community with a gift giving ceremony and once again, Mayra Estrella treated the crowd with her beautiful rendition of a traditional Comcaac song about turtles. Morning brought with it a sense of excitement and anticipation. This was to be the last full-day the delegation would spend time with their extended Indigenous family and the activities planned were exceptional to say the least. Gabriel Hoeffer and Tim Dykman headed for the Great Barrier Reef for a morning of fishing for the community with James Bon, Quarantine Officer on the Island and Chairperson of a regional fisheries corporation. Mr Bon spoke with the men as they fished; telling them about the ways the islanders protect their fisheries resource. Closures, exclusion zones and regular meetings with fisherman to discuss which areas needed protection and which areas are open to fishing, all help to ensure the healthy and robust fisheries enjoyed by the islanders today are sustained for future generations. While the men continued their fishing, the rest of the delegation was joined by community leader Malawup Nona and Erubam le Turtle & Dugong Management Officer Eddie Sailor for a morning of conversation, fishing and snorkelling. Mr Nona spoke about the environment and how improvements in collaborations with government agencies had been made. You can see the pristine area of the Meriam estate here and it s the very reason why we went to court basically preserving and conserving what we have natural resources. We re getting a better understanding from all agencies now, there is a flow of communication among people to work together to make it happen that what we have will be there for the future generations to come, he said. By midday the fishermen had returned from the Reef and the two parties rejoined to continue their conversations and share experiences. We re getting a better understanding from all agencies now, there is a flow of communication among people to work together to make it happen Malawup Nona: Traditional Owner 29

34 No matter the language, with different kind of skin, different eyes, different customs but in the end we are still a big family looking after sea turtle conservation on a global level. Gabriel Hoeffer: Director Grupo Tortuguero As the sun began to set over the islands, the ocean started to stir and Mother Nature began to provide a spectacular show for the Comcaac. It was green turtle nesting season and the turtles were abundant. The delegation travelled to Dowar Island at dusk and prepared for a night of turtle tagging, measuring and tissue sampling. Stephen Ambar led the expedition and was supported by Frank Loban and Eddie Sailor. The Comcaac witnessed one turtle after the other coming to the beach to lay eggs. At one stage the visitors had quietly positioned themselves one or two metres behind a nesting turtle and stayed motionless as they watched the turtle lay her eggs. Things didn t stay quite for long. There was work to be done and the Islanders were keen to get the Comcaac involved and there were no arguments from the Comcaac! After watching the Torres Strait men go to work to tag, measure and take tissue samples from two turtles it was the visitors turn. They took up the challenge with great enthusiasm and impressed everyone with their quick learning and team work. The night provided the perfect climax for the Australian leg of the exchange journey. The opportunity to get close to turtles and to contribute to turtle conservation half-a-world away from their Mexican home was exhilarating for the Comcaac and Australians alike. Gabriel Hoeffer spoke about the experience just minutes after tagging his first Green Sea Turtle in Australia. The exhilaration can be heard in his words and he eloquently sums up the exchange experience in Australia. Watching the nesting here is magical for us. Today we had a chance to tag sea turtles, also do measurements with my friends Alberto and Myra. We are very excited, said Mr Hoeffer. We know that we are a big family in sea turtle conservation. No matter the language, with different kind of skin, different eyes, different customs but in the end we are still a big family looking after sea turtle conservation on a global level. We are very happy, no matter that we are a little bit tired because of all the days and trips on this journey, but in this experience our tiredness disappears looking other ways to work, and the conservation effort continues. This is global with everybody s participation. Today more than ever I feel myself confident, encouraged, motivated, excited and most committed to this sea turtle conservation work. And in cases like this, that is happening far, far away, allows us to be apart of a big conservation net with our Indigenous brothers from Murray Island we are contributing to the local conservation effort. Like we say in Mexico, we re adding our grain of sand. 30

35 Native Oceans Exchange is coordinated through a partnership between Ocean Revolution and the North Australian Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) Dugong and Marine Turtle Project. The Mexican exchange was funded by The Christensen Fund and supported by the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Dhimurru Land Management, Grupo Tortuguero Comcaac and Comcaac Native Oyster Project. Additional Travel funds were provided by James Cook University. The Dugong and Marine Turtle Project is supported by NAILSMA, through funding from the Australian Government s Caring for our Country. For more information visit:

36 Reflections Reflections from participants on the Ocean Revolution NAILSMA Scientific and Cultural Exchange Program. Participants in the exchange program were invited to provide their reflections on the program and what it had achieved. The following is a summary of their comments: The exchange had fostered the development of Young Ambassadors guided by Elders. The experience gained from the trip will assist the Ambassadors to understand and articulate a shared international perspective on the roles and responsibilities of Indigenous sea country managers. The exchange has built people s confidence to share their stories within their communities and with the world. Participants want to maintain ongoing links with their exchange partners as well as explore exchanges with other peoples responsible for sea country management. Turtles and dugongs are key species on a range of levels including ecological indicators of ocean health and successful marine management; as sources of food for remote and regional Indigenous communities; as holders of major spiritual or creation stories, songs and messages; and as symbols of shared responsibility for good ocean management. The exchange has supported important face to face opportunities to discuss shared issues, challenges interests and solutions. These opportunities for personal contact make the sharing of stories via , audio and video even more powerful because the returning travellers can provide explanations and understandings from a behind the computer screen, microphone or camera perspective. It s like we are part of the same tribe, just from a different clan. 32

37 The exchange has allowed the Seri to see large and abundant populations of turtles in the water and on the nesting beach. For the Australians it allowed them another perspective of their healthy turtle and dugong stocks from that of an Indigenous people whose seas no longer hold abundant populations.the exchange allowed the Australians to ask and explore first hand with the Seri the reasons for and the impact of their decision to cease hunting turtles. The exchange allowed participants to see familiar species in very unfamiliar settings - reinforcing the shared nature of global turtle stocks and the need for international cooperation. The exchange allowed the groups to share knowledge on a wide range of perspectives from technical details of the science-based monitoring programs such as I-Tracker, to deep cultural and spiritual understandings about people and their relationship to animals. The inclusion in the exchange delegations of Indigenous and non-indigenous participants who are experienced in the world of scientific research on turtles and dugong, of grantsmanship and budget management, of negotiation with government and stakeholders etc provided opportunities to share insights and information on these necessary skills for project development ad management. The exchange fostered a growing sense of camaraderie amongst the participants: that they are not alone, they share similar issues with other people around the world, that they have allies around the world, that they have access to new resources and ideas. A comment from a young Yolngu man sums it up It s like we are part of the same tribe, just from a different clan. 33

38 34