Aspirations of the Traditional Owners - Parks Victoria

DRAFT VISION FOR THE GREATER ALPINE NATIONAL PARKSENDORSED BY VATORG ON 9 TH JULY 2009We are the First-People of the mountains and the rivers ofthe Victorian Alps: The Bidawal; Monero-Ngarigo; Gunai-Kurnai; Yeerung Kurnai; Jaithmathang; Taungurung;Mitambuta; Ngarigu-Currawong ; Dhudhuroa; Waywurru;and Wurundjeri (1) Peoples. Generations of our ancestorshave owned this land for thousands of years and we havenever surrendered our connections to Country.Our families recognise, acknowledge and respect eachothers cultural connections through family to our mother’scountries. This we define by the rivers, peaks and rangesacross our lands, which are named in our languagesthrough Traditional Lore/Law, Rites of Passage and TotemicBirthrights. Traditional Owners are the Right People in theirRight Country and this principle must be universallyacknowledged, supported and respected.We have the right and the responsibility asTraditional Owners of this land to protect theheritage and legacy of our ancestors on behalf offuture generations. Our collective aspirations for theGreater Alpine National Parks are a vision forconstructive reconciliation and justice for our peopleand for all Australians. We invite the wholecommunity to share the values within this vision andto take part in this journey of healing the past, thepresent and the future together; the public,Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria, everyone. All ourchildren will see a legacy, inheritance and inherentrights from this vision:1. Wurundjeri are active members of VATORG but have not presentlyendorsed the vision statement.The land is owned by the Traditional Owners and is managed as National Parks on behalf of all Australians.Traditional Owners apply their traditional land management practices of their lands through best practice managementof the Parks and continue to grow together with Parks Victoria, sharing knowledge and skills as comanagers.We work together to meet present and future challenges of climate change, the sustainable managementof fire, water, and healing the legacy of inappropriate land management practices of the past.The country is flourishing and the natural balance of the land has been, and continues to be, restored culturallyand environmentally underpinned by a sustainable economy and cultural commerce. Traditional Owners connectionsto country, values, places, languages and knowledge are recognised, acknowledged, respected and supportedlocally, nationally and internationally.Reconciliation has grown from mutual respect and recognition between Traditional Owners and other stakeholders.All stakeholders have certainty in their good faith dealings for all matters impacting in the Greater AlpineNational Parks.Traditional Owners are involved at all levels in the sustainable management of all aspects of Country and heritageand this is enshrined in law. Traditional Owners have the capacity and resources to manage Country and to engageeffectively with government, other stakeholders and the community.Traditional Owners’ cultural connections to the land have always been strong and continue to grow. There is astrong reconnection of Traditional Owners with a genuine recognition by both the whole community and withinthe people themselves.Traditional Owners coming on to Country feel the Mother’s heartbeat and know that the land is healthy and welcoming.They can see, feel and relate to their places and pathways through the cultural landscape and are able tofreely access their country and its resources.Traditional Owners develop businesses and equitable partnerships aimed at acquiring land and creating sustainableeconomic projects which can provide services to Parks Victoria and visitors. This includes owning and managingtheir own facilities on Country.Take a fresh approach to planningPrinted on 100% recycled paperJoin us at www.weplan.parks.vic.gov.auor phone 13 1963 for more information