Knowledge foundations for the development of sustainable wildlife enterprises in remote Indigenous communities of Australia

Abstract

Sustainable wildlife enterprises in remote Indigenous communities are an important source of economic development and employment whilst providing people with opportunities to continue their close connection with country and to maintain customary wildlife harvesting practices. Critical to the success of wildlife enterprises is recognition of the importance of both Indigenous ecological knowledge and western science in their design and implementation. This paper analyses the Indigenous ecological knowledge and western science underpinning the northern long-necked turtle and fledgling tarantula spider industries that have been established by the Djelk Rangers in the remote township of Maningrida in central Arnhem Land. The paper addresses issues of complementarity and conflict across both knowledge systems. The paper also examines the formal transmission of knowledge through education and training institutions as a means of developing employment pathways for young Indigenous people to work in wildlife enterprises.