This is your latest update from the Network.

A Tribute to Mr. N GulayGulay

The Board of Directors, members and staff of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mr. N GulayGulay. His loss will be felt profoundly across the network and beyond.

Mr. N GulayGulay was a proud Yolngu Elder and Traditional Owner of the coastal country near Ramingining in northeast Arnhem Land. He was a long-serving director and senior ranger with the Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation, where he dedicated his time to caring for his Country.

In 2021, Mr. N GulayGulay was appointed as one of the inaugural seven Aboriginal members of the ICIN Board of Directors, a position he held until his passing. He was deeply committed to the work of the network, bringing invaluable cultural insight and leadership.

ICIN Co-Chair Dr. Dean Yibarbuk said,

“For 30 years I looked up to him, and really respected him. He was close family, a cousin, a brother. We worked together in many different capacities, in government and in the ranger programs. He was passionate about his work and pushed to get things to happen. He was extremely important to ICIN and highly respected by Traditional Owners and those working on ranger and fire projects. I wish to give my deep condolences to his family and to the ASRAC team. With our work with the ICIN going out to communities, I thought he would be there with us. He will be greatly missed, I will miss him, all of the ICIN groups will miss him.”

Meet ICIN's Newest Associate Member: Namultja Aboriginal Corporation

We are excited to introduce Namultja Aboriginal Corporation - the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network's newest associate member.

Namultja Aboriginal Corporation (Namultja AC) represents the interests of Marra people whose Country includes land and sea covering an area of about 25,300 km². The land parts of Marra Country stretch from the Gulf of Carpentaria between the Roper River in the north to Rosie Creek in the south, and inland to the headwaters of the Cox and Towns rivers. Marra Country includes rivers, tidal flats, creeks and other freshwater places, plateaus, rocky areas, gorges, and low hills and plains. The sea includes the open sea, currents, islands and reefs.

While Marra Country covers both land and sea, Marra peoples identify as ‘saltwater people’ and are intrinsically connected to the sea which shapes their cultural identity. Sea Country includes Kurrulinya (Maria Island) and Yumunguni (Beatrice Island), and their reefs. The songlines of the Marra peoples are recorded to extend 50 kms offshore and many Marra songlines traverse the sea floor and water column.

Marra peoples have management relationships and responsibilities with the NT Limmen Bight Marine Park and the offshore Commonwealth Limmen Marine Park. Marra peoples share responsibility for Ngalakan Country and Wilangarra Country with our neighbours.

Namultja AC aims to develop opportunities for Country and people. Membership of the organisation is clan affiliated, and the board is made up of three elected members from each of the Marra clans. Welcome to the Network, Namultja AC. 

ICIN Co-Chair, Dr Dean Yibarbuk receives Honourary Doctorate of Letters

Indigenous Carbon Industry Network Co-Chair, Dr Dean Yibarbuk, has received an Honourary Doctorate of Letters from Charles Darwin University for his environmental leadership, specifically his lifelong dedication to land conservation and management in west Arnhem Land and beyond.

The ceremony was held on Dr Yibarbuk's Country in Maningrida, and attended by his family members, colleagues and representatives from Charles Darwin University.

My journey started over 30 years ago, walking alongside and sharing knowledge with some of Australia's first Aboriginal rangers. A lot of work, time and energy has been put into these ranger groups as well as research, and I can say I am proud of the journey we have all been on," Dr Dean Yibarbuk, ICIN Co-Chair.

You can read more about Dr Dean's achievements and the ceremony below. 

Chapter: State of the Indigenous Carbon Industry

For the second year in a row, ICIN was pleased to submit a chapter to the annual Carbon Market Institute (CMI) and Westpac Carbon Market Report on the State of the Indigenous Carbon Industry.

Key points from the ICIN chapter include:

• There are almost 40 Indigenous owned and operated carbon projects across Northern Australia.
• In 2024, these projects were issued their 10 millionth credit.
• Each year, these projects earn carbon credits worth about $60 million.
• Savanna fire management projects cover 175,000 square kilometres of land.
• Indigenous people hold either a legal right or an ‘eligible interest’ over 60% of Australia’s land which means Indigenous groups are not just stakeholders, they are key decision-makers.

Bobby Bowie, Ranger, Batavia Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, is quoted in the report: 

"Fire burning has been a practice we have been doing for many years. Burning helps us show our skills that have been handed down for our generations. It helps us keep our culture strong, keep our Country clean, and helps feed our plants and our wildlife. It helps merge the old techniques and modern techniques. It helps two different worlds come together as one,” Bobby Bowie, Ranger, Batavia Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

North Australia Savanna Fire Forum highlights video 

Working with the team at Moogie Down, we have prepared a highlights video of the February Fire Forum, watch and share!