A farmer’s bio often starts with the hard numbers. The number of cattle and acres, the number of generations the farm’s been in the family and the quantity of commodities produced. But what about the things that can’t so easily be quantified? The knowledge derived from deep and rich sources?
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Indigenous people know the land and are from the land. Stories of Aboriginal stockmen helping modern pastoralists find water and alternate feed during times of drought are plentiful.
As our country suffers extended drought and the sustainability in agriculture rises to the top of the news agenda, it’s about time we ask where are the Indigenous voices in this discussion? We have knowledge and records showing how we use firestick farming to make land more productive.
We have the ability to use songlines and storylines to forecast weather for decision-making. So what if we recognised this 60,000 years of knowledge to understand Australia better?
Our natural flair and intuition around livestock, is reaffirmed every time I speak to an Aboriginal farmer. Indigenous people did not simply hunt and gather in the past, they had a systematic approach to organising the land in a way that allowed for optimal resource acquisition.
Take for example their ability to regenerate landscapes and promote growth with the use of fire. By regularly burning, they were also able to keep track of areas in which animals would graze and shelter.
There is a connection to the land beyond words, with knowledge of climate adaptation from old times. Indigenous people have survived drought, extreme weather and floods for centuries. The knowledge we have gathered can help both farmers and scientists understand how to adapt to a changing climate.
It’s time to tap into and value this unique connection and embrace what Indigenous Australians have to offer. Farmers can start by reaching out to local Indigenous groups and working with them to build new, sustainable land management practices.
Local and federal government can also take action, by meeting with Aboriginal farmers to hear their thoughts on how we can make successful and sustainable change.
With the fate of Australia’s future in our hands, there is no time to waste.
Joshua Gilbert is a Worimi man from Gloucester NSW, a farmer and climate advocate. Josh has been recognised as a finalist for the ACT Young Australian of the Year and as the Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year.
