- First Nations community organisations are encouraged to apply for the latest round of Looking After Country grants.
- Grants worth up to $75,000 each are available for projects to support Indigenous Queenslanders caring for land and sea Country.
- Eligible projects can include cultural heritage site management, inter-generational cultural events, habitat restoration, fire management, and threatened species monitoring.
The Palaszczuk Government is inviting First Nations community organisations to apply for grants to support the inter-generational sharing of knowledge and care for land and sea Country.
Indigenous Corporations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils and other non-profit organisations with majority First Nations boards are eligible to apply for the latest round of Looking After Country grants, worth up to $75,000 each.
Eligible organisations can use the grants to deliver projects that provide opportunities for their communities to connect and work on Country, creating employment and skill development.
These projects can include a wide variety of activities such as cultural site restoration, on-Country camps, planning events, weed and pest animal control, and soil conservation.
Located in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Jumbun Ltd received a $75,000 grant in 2022 for the ‘Development and Documentation of Traditional Wisdom and Lore of the Land for Intergenerational Connection and Succession’ project.
The Birriah Aboriginal Corporation (Nunnie Burra Ltd) received a 2022 grant of $74,604 for the ‘Birriah Country Connection, Recording and Caring for Country Management Plan’ project to record cultural knowledge including culturally significant landforms, sites, fauna, flora and personal and cultural histories.
A total of $500,000 is available through the 2023 round of funding. Applications open today and close on 17 August, 2023.
Quotes attributable to the Acting Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Grace Grace:
“This NAIDOC Week, we celebrate and acknowledge the important role of Elders, as cultural knowledge holders and advocates, in guiding First Nations communities to care for Country and maintain their cultural identities and knowledge.
“Elders have played a central role in the delivery of many successful Looking After Country grant projects, providing traditional knowledge and guidance to younger generations in delivering conservation work and cultural activities.
“With the guiding support of Elders, Looking After Country grants support activities led by First Nations people including cultural heritage site management, inter-generational cultural events, habitat restoration, fire management, and threatened species monitoring.
“These projects foster the deep connection Queensland’s First Nations peoples have to the land and sea, and support the transfer of inter-generational knowledge and stories from Elders to younger generations.
“I encourage eligible organisations to apply for these grants to support such important community projects.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Treaty and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Leeanne Enoch:
“This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For Our Elders’, highlights the importance of inter-generational sharing of knowledge and ongoing care for Country.
“Looking After Country grants acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous Queenslanders’ connection to Country, and delivers funding for cultural heritage site management, cultural events, habitat restoration and more.
“I encourage all eligible First Nations community organisations to apply.”
Quotes attributable to Jumbun Ltd Office manager Nicole Huxley:
“The project involves engaging Elders, young people and community members through story-telling sessions.
“Girramay/Jirrbal Elders share their history, their knowledge and skills of sites and lore and customs of the land. Their traditional knowledge of local biodiversity and habitats, and traditional practices is documented, providing educational tools and training for the Jumbun community.
“It is imperative that our future generations are equipped with the same knowledge and skills as their Elders, so their sense of connection with country is reignited and their care of country strengthens.”
Quotes attributable to Birriah Aboriginal Corporation (Nunnie Burra Ltd) Director Carolyn Kemp:
“Cultural knowledge is the central identity for all Birriah people.
“This knowledge, collected through intergenerational traditional knowledge sharing sessions and yarning with Elders, is being used to develop a Birriah Caring for Country Management Plan, which identifies priorities to heal and care for Country.
“This project assists Traditional Owners to return and reconnect to remote Birriah Country (south of Charters Towers) and reinvigorate their commitment to its’ care.”
