A new video shows the benefits of collaboration between the Monash Sustainability Institute (MSI) and the Yorta Yorta Nation in developing responses to climate change.
Nhawul Bultjubul Ma or To See With Both Eyes was filmed during the Yorta Yorta Climate Change Adaptation Workshop, held in Echuca last November. It features the international participants in the workshop speaking about traditional and western approaches to climate change and how each can inform the other.
The Yorta Yorta Nation, who hosted the workshop in conjunction with MSI, will use the video as a teaching tool, a demonstration of community leadership and an example of collaboration between Aboriginal societies and academia.
The workshop examined how Indigenous knowledge can contribute to improved adaptation to climate change for Indigenous communities and the Australian community in general - through ongoing protection of cultural heritage, promotion of healthy ecosystems and community empowerment.
Director of MSI, Professor Dave Griggs praised Australian Indigenous people's knowledge of the environment.
“They are the oldest living civilisation on the planet. They have an oral history which goes back many thousands of years. They have an intrinsic knowledge of how natural systems work," Professor Griggs said.
"I think if we had that kind of cultural connection, those deep roots into the land, we wouldn’t be doing some of the things that we’re doing."
Yorta Yorta Research Creator, Lee Joachim said the MSI-Yorta Yorta collaboration had been worthwhile for both groups.
"Our work with MSI has benefited the Yorta Yorta Nation in so many ways – such as capacity building, community empowerment and international relations," Mr Joachim said.
"In turn we’ve been able to educate the researchers in Yorta Yorta knowledge and culture – the possibility of seeing the world through two eyes – so they have benefited as well.“