Tati Tati Nation’s Cultural Flows Planning Story
The Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies grants offer an opportunity for First Nations in the Murray-Darling Basin to create Cultural flows plans benefitting their spiritual, cultural, environmental, social, and economic interests. This initiative aims to empower First Nations by allowing them to develop plans that promote self-determination and water justice.
In a fascinating development shared by the Tati Tati Nation, three members, Melissa Kennedy (Director, Tati Tati Kaiejin), Thomas Kennedy (Landcare Manager, Tati Tati Kaiejin), and Janaya Kirby (Tati Tati and Muthi Muthi Woman), enlighten us on their journey in crafting these Cultural flows plans.
Understanding Cultural Flows
Melissa Kennedy explains that unlike conventional water management focused solely on environmental benefits, Cultural flows hold broader significance. They aim to nurture the land and the community, bolstering cultural economies. For the Tati Tati, these flows represent more than water management—they embody a commitment to preserving connection to land while maintaining cultural practices and supporting the community.
Thomas Kennedy adds that their vision isn’t just about delivering water; it involves ensuring that water travels through systems, enriching not just themselves but also farmers and other communities downstream. Healthy waterways lead to widespread benefits.
The Journey of Cultural Flows
Beginning in 2018, the Tati Tati undertook cultural biodiversity assessments, crucial for understanding the ecological state of their lands. These assessments revealed various environmental challenges but helped in pinpointing specific areas in need of attention. Subsequently, Aboriginal waterways assessments with MLDRIN provided a personal connection to the land, enhancing the framework for implementing Cultural flows.
By 2019, leveraging the knowledge garnered, the Tati Tati began their Cultural flows journey in earnest. Through numerous workshops, they involved the community and elders, ensuring the process was self-determined. This grassroots approach engaged community members like Janaya Kirby, who saw it as an avenue to reconnect with her heritage and introduce her child to ancestral lands.
A Methodical Approach
While a seven-year research project had already developed a Cultural flows methodology, the Tati Tati realized that practical, on-the-ground application required adaptation. Engaging with the community revealed the essence of the land’s needs, weaving traditional knowledge with emerging insights. A test flow event highlighted the distinction between Cultural flows and mere water delivery, spearheading the creation of a comprehensive management plan for Margooya Lagoon in 2021.
Strategic Insights and Future Plans
Melissa advises any Nation contemplating Cultural flows planning to think broadly and long-term, focusing on inclusivity and identifying the main beneficiaries, whether it’s the river, trees, or animals. Gathering data, shaped by traditional understanding, is crucial to developing a better plan, advocating for comprehensive on-site surveys and community engagement.
This management plan is a living document, continually evolving as more is learned and adapted to changing circumstances. While practical considerations like staffing and funding are imperative, ensuring community involvement remains pivotal. Sharing experiences—both successes and failures—strengthens the collective approach to Cultural flows.
As Thomas mentions, the journey is just beginning, and learning from other Nations enriches their own practice. They, along with others, aim to build a more confident and assertive message about water rights and cultural heritage. Future aspirations include leveraging entitlements to implement plans on Margooya Lagoon and other Tati Tati Country sites, ensuring sustained holistic development over the short to medium term.
This unique cultural approach to water management signals a significant step towards honoring traditional ecological knowledge while addressing contemporary environmental challenges, thereby setting a precedent for First Nations across Australia.
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