Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has today presented a Lotterywest grant of $1,195,800 to the South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation for a three-year project to support the building of capacity in Noongar communities.
The Noongar Natural Resource Management Pathways project was created to increase Aboriginal students' interest in land and natural resource management and science, and create opportunities for them to learn about managing their traditional lands.
The project will help build capacity in land management ahead of the commencement of the South West Settlement, which will see $1.3 billion in benefits flow to the Noongar people, including 320,000 hectares of land, which will be transferred into the Noongar Land Estate and joint management of the State's conservation estate.
The project will include workshops and engagement with local Elders to pass on traditional knowledge, and will be delivered in partnership with the Shire of Quairading and Muresk Institute.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
"This exciting program will support and encourage young Noongar people in fulfilling their cultural responsibilities for managing their traditional lands.
"We know that when country is cared for properly, there are educational, environmental, employment and social benefits for Aboriginal people.
"It is important that we provide young people with the skills and training needed to take full advantage of the opportunities that will arise after the commencement of the South West Settlement."
