Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Science Project (KISSP)

Dean Mathews, Yawuru

Project Timeline

2012 – Initial engagement with Traditional Owners in the Kimberley was difficult.

2015 – Workshop in Broome to discuss the future of the project• Chaired by Pat Dodson• all Kimberley saltwater country groups invited

2016 – Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Science Project (KISSP) and Working Group formed.

KISSP ObjectivesObjective 1

Integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and management practices into Kimberley marine conservation and management.

Objective 2

Develop standard and agreed community protocols and a research agreement template to underpin marine research in the Kimberley and an implementation strategy to build awareness in the science community of the need for this engagement.

Objective 3

a) Develop a framework and protocols for standardising data collection, storage and analysis methodologies that can be used to monitor saltwater country across the Kimberley.

b) This includes the development of a training package for agreed research targets for delivery to Rangers to develop internal capacity in these standardised techniques.

Working Group’s Research ApproachLed by the KISSP Working Group.

Rangers resourced to facilitate workshops.

TOs and Rangers identified approach, agenda, who to attend and venue.

7 x ‘On-Country’ workshops (103 Traditional Owners).

October 2016 Working Group workshop.

July 2017 Working Group workshop

Working Group feeding back all information to PBCs.

Research Team Selection Process

1. Previous working relationships

2. Submitted EOIs

3. Pitches to Working Group

4. Strengths-based research team selected

Objective Who

Objective 1Integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and management practices into Kimberley marine conservation and management.

Beau AustinCathy RobinsonStephen Garnett

Objective 2Develop standard and agreed community protocols and a research agreement template to underpin marine research in the Kimberley and an implementation strategy to build awareness in the science community of the need for this engagement.

Gina Lincoln

Objective 3aDevelop a framework and protocols for standardising data collection, storage and analysis methodologies that can be used to monitor saltwater country across the Kimberley.

Rebecca DobbsFiona TinglePaul Close

Objective 3bThis includes the development of a training package for agreed research targets for delivery to Rangers to develop internal capacity in these standardised techniques.

Gina Lincoln

Mosaic Environmental Consulting

Healthy Saltwater Country and People into the Future

Mobilising Indigenous Knowledge for Collaborative Management of Kimberley Saltwater Country

Beau Austin, Cathy Robinson, Gina Lincoln, Rebecca Dobbs, Fiona Tingle,Stephen Garnett

with the Balanggarra, Bardi Jawi, Dambimangari, Karajarri, Nyul Nyul, Wunambal Gaambera & Yawuru Traditional Owners.

Why Mobilise Indigenous Knowledge for Collaborations in Saltwater Country?

• See changes, threats and connections between things that science might not.

• Connect environmental, social, cultural, economic and spiritual aspects of Country.

• Support Indigenous people to look after languages, governance systems and way of life.

• Mix Indigenous knowledge and western science to see things in new ways.

• In lots of the Kimberley, it is the only knowledge!

Traditional Owner Perspectives

“In a way science is catching up to our knowledge. Collecting data makes it a bit easier to

explain to scientists and put them in our shoes. Where knowledge is missing science can

fill in the gaps.” Kimberley Saltwater Traditional Owner.

“It makes us and the rangers work better and know about Country. And we might have

similar thoughts.” Kimberley Saltwater Traditional Owner.

“All the older people should be teaching the young ones at the same time as science is

being taught to the young ones.” Kimberley Saltwater Traditional Owner.

Traditional Owners want to work with both local knowledge holders and western scientists to make the best decisions for Kimberley Saltwater Country.

Recognising Indigenous Knowledges

• Most common examples of Indigenous knowledge for Saltwater Country:

• Seasonal indicators (flowers, wind direction, temperature, etc.).

• Historical knowledge (to detect changes and new pressures/threats on Country e.g. bleaching, disease, erosion, pollution, tourism, etc.).

• Knowledge of tides and currents (for travel, safety, fishing, hunting, etc.).

• Hunting locations, seasons, nutritional content and laws/rules of key species (e.g. fish, turtles, dugong, shellfish, etc.).

• Location of cultural values, sites, boundaries and connections (e.g. clan estates, fish traps, ceremony sites, burial grounds, navigation markers, recreational places, hunting tracks, stories, spirits and Old People, etc.).

• Health indicators (species and ecosystems).

• Connectivity (social-cultural-ecological).

• Risk management on Country (crocodiles, weather events, cultural protocols, navigation, etc.).

• However, to interpret this as the ‘most valuable’ knowledge or ‘most widespread’ is both inappropriate and wrong.

Limitations• Indigenous knowledge cannot be separated from

practices and beliefs.• “lived knowledge”• “doing”• “living our lives in the saltwater”• “part of liyarn burr”• “relationships”• “looking after saltwater Country”.

• A lot intentionally left out - not for the public.

• This knowledge needs to be recognised, supported and at the very least not threatened.

• What KISSP talks about is only the tip of the iceberg!

• ‘Evidence-base’ = knowledge/information that can be

used for decision-making, policy and management.

• Non-scientific knowledge is useful/useable.

• Each knowledge system speaks for itself.

• Requires empowerment and capacity development

of all knowledge systems.

• Scientists are experts, but not the only ones!

Tengo et al. (2014). Connecting Diverse Knowledge Systems for Enhanced Ecosystem Governance: The Multiple Evidence Base Approach. Ambio 43, 579-591

A Multiple Evidence Based Approach

Step 1 Establish and maintain meaningful dialogue. Assess capacities for collaboration. Identify goals that are mutually beneficial. Mobilise all knowledge systems. Discuss the relevance of ‘larger-than-local’ scales.

Step 2 Collaborative identification of approach. Decide on a co-production or parallel integration

approach. Collaborative identification of methods.

Step 3 Implementation of knowledge production in line with agreed plans.

‘Stick to the plan!’ Collaborative analysis of results.

Step 4 Collaborative interpretation of results from the perspective of all stakeholders.

Assess social, cultural, economic and environmental implications.

Identify similarities, complementarities and/or contradictions in research outcomes.

Collaboratively evaluate project performance. Joint production of outputs and communication of

results. Celebrate success together.

Applying the Multiple Evidence Based Approach

Toolbox for Producing Knowledge Collaboratively

Participatory Research

• Interviews

• Focus group discussions

• Ranking

• Mapping

• Transect walks

• Questionnaires

• Timelines

• Calendars

• Scenarios

Western Science

• Mapping/GIS

• Economic valuation

• Biology

• Ecology

• Chemistry

• Anthropology

• Archaeology

• Climatology

• Modelling

Indigenous Knowledges

• Storytelling

• Yarning

• Artwork

• Dance

• Hunting & harvesting

• Ceremony

• Seasonal Calendars

• Digital media

• Video

• Photos

Indigenous Knowledge and the Regional Scale

• We can’t lose complexity of the local.

• Connections between Traditional Owners mean that some

knowledges-practices-beliefs are shared, but not always...

• Relationship building exercises, shared project activities and

knowledge exchanges (between Indigenous groups, as well as

with their non-Indigenous partners).

“Trust is established through dialogue”, Paolo Freire

Knowledge collaborations across large scales must proceed with significant caution,ensuring free prior and informed consent in every step of the process, as there issignificant risk involved for Indigenous people.

Collaborative Science on Kimberley Saltwater Country – A Guide for Researchers

Gina Lincoln

with the Balanggarra, Bardi Jawi, Dambimangari, Karajarri, Nyul Nyul, Wunambal Gaambera & Yawuru Traditional Owners.

A Regional Framework for Saltwater Monitoring in the Kimberley

Rebecca Dobbs, Beau Austin, Paul Close, Fiona Tingle

with the Balanggarra, Bardi Jawi, Dambimangari, Karajarri, Nyul Nyul, Wunambal Gaambera & Yawuru Traditional Owners.

Why a regional framework? -So groups can share experiences and knowledge of monitoring techniques

-Regional information can assist groups to interpret local monitoring results (i.e. migratory species)

-Empowers TO groups when negotiating joint management arrangements

Opportunity to

- demonstrate Land and Sea Management outcomes at a broader scale (KLC , Major funding bodies)

- highlight where investment/ research capacity building needed

AIMSThrough development of a regional framework the project aimed to:

1. Build on existing work

2. Review current monitoring methods (questionnaires, workshops)

3. KISSP case study – test and identify gaps in the Framework to inform

future research and development of monitoring techniques.

Figure 1 A Regional Framework for the Kimberley

Regional Scale

Local Scale

THE FRAMEWORK

SALTWATER VALUES

CULTURAL

PRACTICES

Law, ceremony,

living on country,

customary

fishing/hunting,

seasonal knowledge,

storytelling,

enjoyment of

country, making

hunting tools,

language,

intergenerational

transfer of

knowledge,

responsibility for

country, medicine,

protocols, spiritual

and physical

connections

SALTWATER FOOD AND

RESOURCES

Fish, shellfish, squid and octopus, sharks and

rays, turtles, dugongs

CONSERVATION TARGETS Shorebirds, dolphins, whales

SIGNIFICANT AREAS AND

PLACES

Burial, camping, fishing, middens, creation

story, seascapes, fossils, maritime heritage, fish

traps, law grounds, boundaries and location,

tracks, cultural areas

LIVELIHOODS SALTWATER

Land and sea management, nature /cultural

based tourism, and commercial, customary,

recreational fishing

SALTWATER COUNTRY

Saltwater (currents tides and quality), beaches,

rocky headlands, intertidal mudflats,

freshwater, Submerged springs, mangroves,

saltmarsh, reefs, seagrass, deep sea, near shore

pools, non-resource or conservation species

SALTWATER THREATS

CULTURAL PRACTICES

Laws/ protocols &

advice not being

respected, lack of

resources to access

country reduced

practicing of law on

country and

connections, lack of

knowledge transfer

(lost knowledge),

Government policies

(culturally

inappropriate), lack of

cultural programs in

mainstream education

SALTWATER FOOD AND

RESOURCES

Climate change, weeds, pollution, human

pressure (overfishing- commercial recreational

and customary fishers, & development), marine

pests, unmanaged animals (destroying nests,

egg predation)

CONSERVATION

TARGETS

Climate change, pollution (oil spills, debris),

commercial, recreational and customary fishers

(by-catch, boat strikes)

SIGNIFICANT AREAS

AND PLACES

Unmanaged visitors (damage, lack of respect),

insufficient resources for accessing and

managing country, lack of knowledge transfer

(lost knowledge)

LIVELIHOODS

SALTWATER

Lack of accessibility to country (transport to visit

country), lack of cultural knowledge

transmission, human pressure (overfishing -

commercial recreational and customary fishers,

& development)

SALTWATER COUNTRY

Development (GW abstraction, pollution),

climate change, marine pests & debris, erosion,

weeds, inappropriate access (locals and tourists),

boats (damage, pollution)

STEP 1:Identify Values

List of regional values

STEP 2:

Identify ThreatsList of regional

threats

VALUES

OBJECTIVESSaltwater Food

and ResourcesConservation

Significant

Areas and

Places

Livelihoods

Saltwater

Saltwater

Habitat

Cultural

Practices

Objective 1: Traditional Owners and

Rangers have access to western

science, cultural and indigenous

knowledge about plants animals and

culture (producing and using)

Objective 2: Sustain animal

populations (through managing

customary harvest, and both human

and introduced threats) (priorities

turtle, dugong, fish)

Objective 3: Maintain biodiversity and

habitats

Objective 4: Maintain the health and

condition of cultural sites

Objective 5: Maintain cultural

practices and meet obligations to

country (rules for governing country)

STEP 3:

Prioritise Objectives

List of preliminary

regional objectives

“Turtles? Nothing wrong with turtles….. I’ll tell you what’s dying, law and culture that’s what’s dying” Kimberley Traditional Owner

Local Monitoring- current focus on monitoring the

status of values

- monitoring of management effectiveness limited

- this is essential for

Stage of CAP process, complexity of CAP implementation

Significant focus on developing WS techniques

Funding driven by external sources (with focus on research)

STEP 4:

Monitor

Conceptual models

Method Selection Tool

Toolbox of Monitoring Methods

Examples of Analysis and

reporting tools

Identify

question

Select and

implement

method

Analyse and report

STEP 4:

Monitor

Conceptual models

Method Selection Tool

Toolbox of Monitoring Methods

Examples of Analysis and

reporting tools

Identify

question

Select and

implement

method

Analyse and report

- Aligns with MEB approach- Groups can chose from IK or WS based

approaches- Provides distinction between research

monitoring and long term monitoring- Groups aren’t reinventing techniques- Monitoring techniques to measure

indicators but also management effectiveness

Benefits of Toolbox

STEP 4:

Monitor

Conceptual models

Method Selection Tool

Toolbox of Monitoring Methods

Examples of Analysis and

reporting tools

Identify

question

Select and

implement

method

Analyse and report

STEP 5:

Assess

Key outcomesBest practice framework developed

- accounts for the unique features of the Kimberley

- incorporates a MEB approach,

- considers saltwater country as not only a marine ecosystem but a complex ecological social and economic system

The KISSP case study has provided

- information for the longer term implications of rolling out the framework

- highlights where investment is required

- Implementation of the framework will allow Traditional Owner’s to better visualise a regional picture of ecosystem health and facilitate knowledge sharing and robust Traditional Owner and Western Science (WS) management.

Navigating Knowledge Currents

Dean Mathews, Albert Wiggin, Beau Austin, Rebecca Dobbs

Why has KISSP been so successful?

- A collective and sharing approach

- Refocused onto real challenges

- Delivered the objectives set

- Bridged vast geographical areas

- Important Social cultural and scientific platform

- A voice for the traditional owners for traditional knowledge and for Western Science, with all acting in good faith

- A manageable sized group

- A funded secretariat role to keep KISSP on track

Healthy Saltwater Country and People into the Future

KISSP PRODUCTS

Voluntary adoption of Multiple Evidence Based (MEB) approach

1. Facilitate dialogue between Traditional Owners, Rangers, rep bodies, and all other partners to see if this approach is a way forward.

2. Training (probably on-the-job) on how to implement an MEB approach.

3. Start using the KISSP outputs.

4. Evaluation of MEB approaches to demonstrate value and share lessons.

Optional extras:• Clear process for negotiating access and benefit sharing arrangements

with researchers and other partners.• Development of community-based ‘knowledge prospectuses’.• Closer look at the relationship between knowledge and governance.

Working with Indigenous knowledge and western science for decision-making, policy and management.

Aboriginal organisations and representative bodies

- Training staff and Directors about the protocols , toolbox, multiple knowledges approach

Government agencies

- Joint management processes should support research protocol requirements

Research institutes

- Protocol as standard for all researchers considering Kimberley cultural and natural resource research projects

- Encourage university courses to teach students about working with Kimberley groups

Implementation of ProtocolsProtocols are well understood, supported and applied by western science and Indigenous research partners.

Implementation of Regional Monitoring Framework.

- Ownership vested in either a regional advisory group (such as KISSP) –ensuring the toolbox is periodically updated

- Capacity building and training for groups to ensure monitoring focused on objectives, strategies and management effectiveness.

- Support and training to enhance the capacity of Ranger groups to analyse data and interpret results at both a regional and local scale.

- Development and trial of tools that support multiple evidence based approach (i.e. incorporates both qualitative and quantitative data sets and different knowledge bases)

A robust monitoring program for Rangers that follows an adaptive management framework (with questions clearly defined, results analysed, and monitoring and management actions evaluated) to inform ongoing management and monitoring of saltwater country

Legacy of KISSP

• Getting the policy makers on board

• Continuing investment into the products

• Alignment of traditional decision making processes through PBCs with government agency decision makers

Future Collaborations in Kimberley Saltwater Country

•We have built a network and lots of momentum

•We have achieved a lot – but its only the beginning

•It would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t continue to support the network

AcknowledgmentsWe would like to thank the State Government of Western Australia and WAMSI partners for funding this research.

Working Group and Research Team