This report articulates key Indigenous aspirations regarding cultural burning and bushfire management in southern Australia. It identifies current impediments to realising these aspirations and presents recommendations on empowering Indigenous leadership in bushfire recovery.
This presents a synthesis of insights and experiences from Indigenouspeople in southern Australia in the wake of the 2019-20 wildfires. These extreme events had a profound impact on Indigenous people and their values in Country. This gave rise to a growing call from Indigenous people for their aspirations to be included in decision-making on bushfire management and recovery, including a growing interest in and opportunities for cultural burning to heal Country and reduce the risk of dangerous wildfires. The report helps understand the ongoing challenges Indigenous people face in fire management, and presents key recommendations for addressing these barriers and empowering Indigenous leadership in fire management decision-making and activities.
