[CDU eNews] - 32 INDIGENOUS RANGERS GRADUATE FROM CDU

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

32 Indigenous rangers graduate

Thirty-two Indigenous rangers will receive Certificates in Resource
Management at Charles Darwin University's annual graduation ceremony
tonight (Thursday).

It is believed to be one of the largest graduations of Indigenous rangers
in Australia. The 32 comprise:

   Twelve Wagiman 'Guwardagun' rangers from Pine Creek;
   Seventeen 'Djelk' rangers from Maningrida;
   Three 'Mimal' Rangers from the Bulman/Weemol area.

All have successfully completed Certificates in Resource Management. They
will receive their certificates tonight (Thursday) at the first of two
graduation ceremonies on the Casuarina campus.

Judal Huddleston, senior Wagiman traditional owner, will speak on behalf of
the Wagiman graduands.

VET resource management lecturer and coordinator David Wise said today the
course had been developed in conjunction with the Larrakia Nation
Aboriginal Corporation, the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, the NT
Primary Industry Training Council and the Northern Land Council.

"It contains many units of particular relevance to remote Indigenous people
managing natural and cultural resources. These units recognise Indigenous
knowledge of land management, history and culture which are not available
in any other course," he said.

"This is of particular relevance to the ranger groups and one of the main
reasons for the popularity and successes of the training package.

"The Wagiman people have lands in the upper Daly River region and want to
have an integrated land management program which involves pastoral
enterprise such as cattle and ongoing weed and feral animal control.

"Many of the lands have particular cultural significance and the ranger
program acts as a focus for the maintenance of country and cultural
traditions.

"The Wagiman people are facing a time of change and development with the
proposed gas pipeline from Wadeye to Gove. There are also issues of land
use and proposed intensive agricultural development in the Daly region and
its impacts on the river and its wildlife, landscapes and the environment."

Mr Wise said the Djelk Ranger program at Maningrida was one of the NT's
longest running and most successful Indigenous Ranger programs and had been
associated with the university for a decade.

CDU staff and the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation have engaged in ongoing
research including exploring the capacity for commercial use of wildlife
and plants such as crocodiles, freshwater turtles, cycads and bush
medicines.

"Djelk and Mimal rangers have been working on an Arnhem Land Fire Abatement
project which seeks to maintain and re-establish traditional burning
patterns in the Arnhem Land region.

"Collaborative research with partners such as the CSIRO. the Bushfires
Council and CDU has established that traditional patterns of burning not
only are beneficial for the local ecosystems but actually produce far less
greenhouse gases than unmanaged burning.

"Similarly for the other ranger groups this group acts as a focus for
maintenance of culture and health of landscapes."



   More than 500 graduands will receive formal recognition of success in
   their Higher Education or Vocational Education and Training studies at
   outdoor graduation ceremonies on the university's Casuarina campus
   tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow.

   About 1500 family members, friends and academic staff, will witness the
   ceremonies. A further 80 graduands will be honoured at a ceremony on the
   Alice Springs campus on June 17.

   A total of 2447 people graduated from Charles Darwin University last
   year, but for various reasons - some were offshore students, others
   external students from interstate, for example - many are unable to
   attend the ceremonies.

   The ceremonies tonight and tomorrow will start at 6pm, with fireworks
   displays at the conclusion.


Mr Wise is available for interview



Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K