More Than a Human GPS? Opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples to Lead and Manage Land and Water Research On-Country in the Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract

This Honours project is possible through a collaborative partnership between the Aboriginal Research Practitioners’ Network (ARPNet) and the Australian National University. Before commencing the thesis, I was employed with ARPNet but took leave to complete this Honours research. The overarching research question is, what are the opportunities for Aboriginal peoples to lead and manage land and water research on-Country in the Northern Territory, Australia? Nearly 100 people participated in the research—from three groups—Aboriginal research teams on-Country, Aboriginal researchers in academia and non-Aboriginal scholars supporting Aboriginal-led initiatives. They were involved in either yarning sessions,3 interviews, focus group discussions or through an online survey. NVivo 12 Pro and Microsoft Excel were used for thematic analyses. The thesis structure follows a theoretical Indigenous knowledge framework involving respect, connect, reflect, and direct. This thesis is about how land and water research on-Country can be done better. The Northern Territory (NT) has over 85 percent of its coastline and 50 percent of its landmass under formally recognised Aboriginal ownership. Nearly 30 percent of the population identify as being Indigenous.4 This means environmental research in the NT often impacts Aboriginal peoples and the places important to us. This thesis argues that environmental science research in the NT has the potential to further reform the Indigenous research agenda. The health sciences are referred to as a benchmark because it is the health sciences in Australia which initiated Indigenous research agenda reforms. Focussing on land and water research on-Country is necessary to highlight the research needs and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples and our communities.5 Reducing harm to research participants is the basic premise of doing ethical research alongside marginalised groups. Related to that, this thesis found that the overwhelming response from participants was for research to be culturally responsive. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples can achieve this with the research action plan ‘USMOB’, to; Understand and incorporate local knowledges See Aboriginal peoples as research practitioners, not just research participants Manoeuvre funding to match Aboriginal research needs Organise projects, so methods include decolonised research tools Be a champion—advocate for more Aboriginal-led research.