Traditional Owners from the NT’s Daly River region have travelled to Sydney to present the results of a 13-year research collaboration at an international conference.
Wagiman Traditional Owners Mona Liddy, Lizzie Sullivan and Kurt Liddy, along with Professor Michael Douglas of The University of Western Australia, will present Talking together, working together, walking together to conference delegates today as part of the 21st International Riversymposium.
They will describe the outcomes of the Daly River Fish and Flows research project which is now in its 14th year and is an ongoing, collaborative study of the cultural significance and environmental flow needs of fish in the iconic Daly River.
“This is one of the longest-running research partnerships in the region,” Professor Douglas said.
“Outcomes include not only new scientific knowledge – such as the fact that the Daly has one of the highest fish diversities of northern Australian rivers, and that barra catches can be linked with river flows – but also a greater recognition of Indigenous knowledge as well as capacity building and community development.”
Ms Liddy says the partnership and project have also helped her fulfil personal aspirations.
“Being a partner in the Daly Fish and Flows project provided me with the skills and resources to complete my degree in Indigenous Community Management and Development,” she explains.
“I did an evaluation of the project for my university studies and it also helped me secure employment.”
Professor Douglas, Ms Liddy, Ms Sullivan and Mr Liddy are presenting in the Environmental and Cultural Flows session.
