Cultural fire knowledge exchange

Eight members of the Victorian Safer Together Cultural Fire Community of Practice recently travelled to Western Australia for a Cultural Fire Knowledge Exchange with colleagues from the Karla Katitjin Bushfire Centre of Excellence.

The Victorian delegation included representatives from DEECA and CFA.

The exchange strengthened ongoing collaboration between Victoria and Western Australia and provided an opportunity to share approaches that support First Nations people to deliver cultural fire on public and private land.

The initiative was funded through Safer Together and jointly supported through the Loddon Mallee Deputy Chief Fire Officer Indigenous Land Management Traditional Owner Self Determination Project Trust.

A highlight for participants was travelling through the south-west of WA to meet Traditional Owner groups and representatives. These conversations offered firsthand insights into historical and current challenges in delivering cultural fire programs.

The Victorian delegation was also invited to join the Nowanup Rangers for a cultural burn on Nowanup Country.

The visit concluded with Victorian delegates presenting at the WA-VIC Cultural Fire Knowledge Exchange Workshop at the WA Bushfire Centre of Excellence.

Presentations showcased Victoria’s approach to cultural fire through Fire, Culture, Process and Relationships, and the Gariwerd Cultural Heritage experience: First Nations Voice in Emergency Management. More than 60 people involved in cultural burning across WA attended.