New Funding for Indigenous Ranger Program
Posted: March 31st, 2022
YMAC welcomes the announcement in the recent federal budget by the Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, and the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, committing an investment of $636 million to expand the Indigenous Rangers Program and double the number of Indigenous ranger jobs in Australia. The investment will help to increase the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to undertake land and sea management.
The Indigenous Rangers Program combines traditional knowledge with western science and conservation training to protect and manage the land, sea, and culture, making the expansion of the Rangers program a significant milestone. This will have a meaningful and lasting impact on not only caring for Country, but provide social, cultural and economic benefits through long term education, reconnecting with Country and employment outcomes in the regions.
The new announcement recognises the hard work and knowledge of Traditional Owners as the original managers of Country who are reasserting responsibility for keeping Country healthy.
YMAC is a partner organisation of Country Needs People and we acknowledge the significant work undertaken in advocating for increased training, capacity building, networking, and capital costs for Rangers programs. With this new funding commitment, this highly valuable program will have a major impact across Australia, by supporting up to 88 new ranger groups over the next 5 years and will also provide incentives to raise the number of female and youth rangers. See Indigenous Ranger Program video created by Country Needs People here
