From 12 to 15 June, ICIN was lucky to join Traditional Owners and rangers on Country near Elliott (on Mudbarra Country in the Northern Territory), on a trip led by the Central Land Council (CLC) as part of the Karlantijpa Savanna Burning Project.
Running since 2015, the Karlantijpa Savanna Burning Project builds on generations of Traditional fire knowledge. While Traditional Owners have long used fire to care for this land, the project has created a sustainable income stream through the generation and sale of carbon credits. This revenue supports Traditional Owners to spend more time on Country, care for sacred sites, pass on cultural knowledge, and invest in local community initiatives.
During the week, Traditional Owners conducted helicopter flights to visit significant sites and identify key areas for early dry-season burning. The project area spans 2,845 km² of sub-tropical woodland country. Once the right places were assessed, Traditional Owners worked alongside rangers from the Muru Warinyi-Ankkul ranger team from Tennant Creek, Murnkurrumurnkurru rangers from Daguragu, and the Utopia rangers to carry out both aerial and on-ground burning in line with cultural protocols.
Senior Traditional Owner Janey Dixon explained the deep cultural importance of fire:
“You always have to have that fire burning so you have those animals and those sacred places. Our ancestors are following us when we light the fire. They are walking with us while we are looking after the ground, the trees, the birds.”
Elaine Sandy, Senior Traditional Owner and Director of Jinkaji Aboriginal Corporation, shared:
“We are all coming together to share the knowledge of the country—the fire place. We are bringing together the wisdom of both ways of teaching—our way and kardiba way.”
ICIN extends its heartfelt thanks to the Traditional Owners for inviting us onto their beautiful country and sharing their leadership, knowledge, and vision for caring for country and supporting future generations.