Environment
Protecting and managing Country through Indigenous-led conservation, land management, and climate adaptation strategies rooted in tens of thousands of years of knowledge.
A collective call to action from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners, community leaders, organisations and regional representatives across Queensland.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners of the lands, waters, skies and seas across Queensland. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to the continuing connection of First Nations peoples to Country, culture and community. This coalition affirms self-determination as the foundation on which any genuine partnership must be built.
Queensland is entering a generation-defining period of change across climate adaptation, energy transition, biodiversity policy, water reform, sustainable food systems, forestry, natural capital markets, and regional economies.
First Nations peoples are the longest continuous custodians of this continent. Our governance, knowledge systems, and cultural authority span Cape York, Torres Strait, the Gulf, the Wet Tropics, the Great Barrier Reef, the central highlands, the channel country, the South-West, and the south-east.
Despite this, First Nations peoples remain systematically under-represented in the decisions, governance structures, and economic opportunities that shape these sectors.
Queensland's primary industries, environmental stewardship, natural capital, climate resilience, food security, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, biodiversity, and sustainable regional economies must include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as genuine partners in leadership, governance, co-design, and implementation.
The foundation of this Coalition.
Embedded in all policy and program design.
Respecting sovereign knowledge systems.
First Nations control over First Nations data.
Protected and respected.
Protected and managed as a value — never extracted or commodified.
Genuine partnership, not consultation.
Long-term commitment to working together.
Four pillars of work, unified by a commitment to First Nations sovereignty over Country.
Protecting and managing Country through Indigenous-led conservation, land management, and climate adaptation strategies rooted in tens of thousands of years of knowledge.
Advancing First Nations participation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, fisheries, and resource management — building sustainable economic futures on Country.
Developing authentic cultural tourism experiences that share story, strengthen community, and create lasting economic opportunity across Queensland.
Bridging Traditional Ecological Knowledge and western science to deliver better outcomes for Country, climate, and community.
Key asks directed to the Queensland Government, Australian Government, industry, research institutions, and philanthropy:
Recognise First Nations peoples as sovereign custodians
Establish genuine co-governance in environment, primary industries, tourism, and science
Fund a First Nations-led Environment, Primary Industries, Tourism & Science Investment Plan
Establish dedicated funding streams for First Nations-led projects
Embed FPIC in all policy and program design
Develop Indigenous Data Sovereignty frameworks
Create pathways for First Nations employment and leadership
Support First Nations ranger programs and land/sea management
Invest in First Nations tourism enterprises
Establish First Nations science and research partnerships
Protect and invest in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property
Support regional and remote First Nations communities
Recognise and invest in First Nations carbon, biodiversity and natural capital
Establish First Nations forestry, fisheries and aquaculture programs
Ensure First Nations peoples are central to climate adaptation
Recognise Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a distinct sovereign knowledge system
The Coalition is member-led and culturally governed. Membership is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owner groups, community-controlled organisations, regional representative bodies, and recognised First Nations leaders.
Cultural centre of the Coalition with binding sign-off on cultural matters.
Sector-specific groups covering environment, climate, natural capital, primary industries, forestry, fisheries, science, tourism, and regional development.
Torres Strait, Cape York, Gulf, North QLD, Central QLD, South-East QLD, and South-West QLD.
Small coordination team for communications, research, and stakeholder engagement.
Authorised representatives of Traditional Owner groups, Prescribed Body Corporates, Aboriginal Land Trusts, First Nations community-controlled organisations, and regional peak bodies are invited to endorse the Collective Statement.
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For enquiries about the Coalition, endorsement, or partnership opportunities.
Location
Kirwan, Queensland, Australia
Operating across the traditional lands of many First Nations peoples