Citation

Russell-Smith J, James G, Dhamarrandji AM, Gondarra T, Burton D, Sithole B, Campion OB, Hunter-Xenie H, Archer R, Sangha KK, Edwards AC. Ambio 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Publisher Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s13280-022-01743-x

PMID

35759155

Abstract

Northern Australia is prone to recurring severe natural hazards, especially frequent cyclones, flooding, and extensive wildfires. The region is sparsely populated (≪ 0.5 persons km(-2)), with Indigenous (Aboriginal) residents comprising 14% of the population, and typically the majority in remote regions. Despite national policy committed to addressing emergency management (EM) in vulnerable Indigenous communities, implementation remains unfunded. We synthesise participatory intercultural research conducted over seven years exploring core challenges, opportunities and potential solutions towards developing effective EM partnerships. Similar EM engagement and empowerment issues face First Nations and local communities in many international settings. In search of solutions, we explore developing effective partnership arrangements between EM agencies and culturally diverse Indigenous communities. Observing that government already provides substantial investment in cultural and natural resource management programmes conducted by over 150 Indigenous Ranger Groups (IRGs) nationally, we demonstrate that expansion of IRG roles to incorporate EM community engagement and service delivery can provide multiple cost-effective community and business development benefits for many remote communities.

Language: en

Keywords

Risk management; Climate change; Indigenous people; Natural disasters; Participatory action research; Vulnerable communities