Flow - Life Giving Lands and Waters
Ngarrindjeri Media - 2013 February - Meningie SA
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The Change Media team partnered with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority in association with the SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources to produce a collaborative community-driven documentary about the Ngarrindjeri lands and waters and The Living Murray Initiative’s ICON sites during a four day capacity building workshop in Dec 2012 and edit process in Jan-Feb 2013 with the Ngarrindjeri Media Team.
Our crew worked with 12 scientists selected by DEWNR and the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, to address a series of issues about managing the River Murray, the Lower Lakes and the Coorong. Over 4 days we investigate the different western scientific and economic approaches, in comparison with Ngarrindjeri knowledge and cultural practice shared by their elders, and find out how both sides can work together for a better understanding of the fragile environment of the Ngarrindjeri lands and waters.
The film has already triggered some interesting responses, a researcher from Flinders University said the film sets a new benchmark for collaborations between Indigenous communities and government departments, especially on the contentious issue of water and land management and related cultural rights.
We also have been asked to co-present Flow at the World Indigenous Network conference in Darwin in May 2013.
The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority will use the documentary also as part of their Native Title claim, as it provides supporting evidence of their ongoing cultural connection to their land and waters. If our work can make a contribution on this level, then may be not all is lost…
Partners
Arts SA
Australia Council for the Arts
Indigenous Cultural Support, Office for the Arts, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Murray Darling Basin Authority
Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority
South Australian Government Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources