This is your latest update from the Network
This week, ICIN staff are attending the AIATSIS Summit on Larrakia Country, alongside many of our members, including representatives from the Kimberley, Central and Northern Land Councils, and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation. If you are at the Summit come and say hello!
Mabo Day, reflections from AIATSIS
Yesterday we honoured the legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo, a man whose courage and persistence changed the course of Australian legal history, leading to the recognition of native title in Australia. At this week’s AIATSIS Summit on Larrakia Country, Kaleb Mabo, Eddie Mabo’s grandson, gave moving introductory remarks reflecting on his grandfather’s unwavering commitment to his people.
“Eddie Mabo used to say, No matter how hard the struggle, we must fight for our rights, ” said Kaleb Mabo.
Kaleb also reflected on the legacy of his grandfather, sharing how he set up the Black Community School, which was a radical act of self-determination. He believed empowerment could not happen without education.
At the Summit, Kevin Smith from the National Native Title Tribunal reflected on the enduring impact of the Mabo case stating that Mabo’s courage and determination were instrumental to the claim, with Mabo believing the system had to recognise the land rights of his people despite all odds. Smith emphasised that native title is not just a legal concept, but a relationship between people, Country, and community and that strengthening people and relationships is the key to strengthening the future.
Powerful Indigenous voices at CMI's Carbon Forum
ICIN Director Teddy Bernard (pictured above) delivered the Indigenous Address at the Carbon Farming Industry Forum held in May 2025 by the Carbon Market Institute on Bundjalung Country (Lennox Head), NSW. The event included 330 delegates from across the carbon market sector.
Cr Bernard detailed the process of establishing the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council's carbon project and its significant milestones. He highlighted the key drivers of Indigenous carbon projects - collaboration, communication, knowledge sharing, restoring Country, self-determination through independent revenue and meaningful jobs - and spoke about the importance of right-way engagement. Cr Bernard called for early involvement of Traditional Owners to ensure co-developed projects deliver clear, mutual benefits.
The Forum also featured the panel session ‘Indigenous Carbon & Biodiversity – Opportunities & Right Way, Wrong Way Engagement’, facilitated by ICIN Director Suzanne Thompson. Speakers included Bruce Hammond, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Manager, Bush Heritage Australia, Leeton Lee, Cultural Practitioner, Leechelle Hammat, Director, Marlinyu Ghoorlie Aboriginal Corporation and Keith Close, IPA/Fire Coordinator, Jagun Alliance (pictured below).
Recent policy developments from the Network
As we move into the second half of 2025, we extend our congratulations to the reappointed Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, Assistant Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Emergency Management, Josh Wilson, and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who has been appointed Minister for Indigenous Affairs. We look forward to working collaboratively with their offices to strengthen Indigenous participation and leadership in Australia’s carbon industry.
In early May, ICIN staff travelled to Kabi Kabi Country (Maroochydoore) to participate in the Blue Carbon Ecosystem Restoration End of Program Event hosted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and Sunshine Coast Council. Discussions will inform the ongoing blue carbon guidance work funded under NESP through Charles Darwin University (CDU).
Over the next couple of months, ICIN will co-host community workshops in partnership with its members and other Indigenous organisations to inform guidance and recommendations to government on Indigenous engagement with blue carbon and environmental markets, and communication resources.
The ICIN Feral Ungulate working group met to discuss progress of the 'Reducing emissions through management of introduced hooved animals (ungulates) in wetlands' proponent-led method being developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and NAILSMA with support from ICIN. In this meeting key aspects of the method were discussed, including baselines, carbon modelling, measurement and verification. A website has being created by UQ to present the method and seek feedback.
We are also supporting ongoing conversations with members regarding proposed Nature Repair market policies. For all policy related queries please reach out to Genevieve Schulz, ICIN Policy Coordinator on [email protected].
ICIN presenting at world’s largest conservation conference
The Network is pleased to be hosting a symposium titled 'Indigenous Carbon Industry Research Updates: For People and Planet' at the June 2025 International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) conference in Meanjin (Brisbane). The Network's symposium is on Monday 16th June, 15:30-16:30, in Great Hall 1 & 2 and will feature the following experts:
- Teddy Bernard, ICIN Director and Deputy Mayor of Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council presenting on Kowanyama's project
- Dr Dean Yibarbuk, ICIN Co-Chair, with Anna Boustead, CEO ICIN, on supporting knowledge sharing and policy development through the Network
- Sade Popoola, Kimberley Land Council, on savanna fire management in the Kimberley region
- Professor Catherine Lovelock, University of Queensland, on reducing emissions from the management of hooved animals in wetlands - developing a new carbon abatement method for the voluntary market
- Bridie Velik-Lord, Northern Land Council, on Indigenous rights and interests in carbon in the Northern Territory
If you are attending ICCB we hope to see you at our symposium, and please reach out to ICIN's project officer Amy on [email protected] to receive updates regarding Network events and gatherings at the conference.
Launch of ICIN's online calendar
ALFA Pre-Season Meeting
Aboriginal rangers from across Arnhem Land gathered on Jawoyn Country at Banatjarl on 15–16 April for ALFA’s annual pre-season fire meeting. The event brought together ranger groups leading fire management under ALFA’s six savanna burning projects to coordinate early dry season fire planning and strengthen collaboration across the region.
Over two days, rangers developed detailed burn plans, coordinated management of shared estate and IPA boundaries, and presented their strategies to the wider group. Presentations from Bushfires NT, the Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research and ALFA provided insight into seasonal outlooks and priorities.
A key highlight was the first viewing of new Arnhem language fire training videos, developed through ALFA’s training program to support culturally grounded, place-based learning. The meeting plays a central role in setting the tone for each fire season – reinforcing partnerships, reaffirming cultural connections, and supporting the leadership of Aboriginal rangers in right-way fire management across Arnhem Land.
A good opportunity to learn and ask questions
The requirements for legal right and eligible interest-holder consent within the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme will be outlined in this webinar hosted by the Clean Energy Regulator. The event will cover:
- administrative and legislative requirements for legal right and EIH consent when registering a project and reporting
- how to demonstrate best practice
- evidence the CER requires to be satisfied legal right is maintained and EIH consents have been provided
It is important to note the Network's position on EIH consent: We advocate for the recognition of native title claimants, not only native title holders.
Petition: Restore NT funding for Aboriginal Rangers
In the lead-up to the 2024 Northern Territory election, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) made a clear and public commitment of providing $12 million in funding over four years for the Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program. But now, in its first budget released on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, the NT CLP Government has broken that promise. Despite its strong pre-election pledge, there is no funding for the Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program in the 2024 budget.
ICIN's members, including the Central Land Council (CLC), the Northern Land Council (NLC), Thamarrurr Development Corporation, Tiwi Rangers and the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA) are outraged and speaking out in hope of overturning this decision, including encouraging people to sign the Country Needs People petition.
Update on NAFI Service Funding
The North Australia & Rangelands Fire Information (NAFI) Service is facing a severe funding shortage after 20 years of operation. This essential service provides critical satellite mapping of bushfires across northern Australia and is widely used by members of ICIN. This service is critical to Indigenous groups doing fire management and delivering carbon projects. Without continued support, the livelihoods of those who depend on it are threatened, potentially leaving vast areas of northern Australia vulnerable to uncontrolled wildfires.