The Aboriginal Ranger Program is a five year initiative which has just received a landmark $20 million contribution from the Western Australian government.
Thirteen Aboriginal organisations will share $8.5 million in funding, with rangers set to undertake management of land and sea areas including conservation, cultural, tourism and education activities across a range of tenures.
An estimated 47 female ranger positions will be filled after a key election promise by Premier Mark McGowan during his campaign run last year was delivered on.
Minyma Uninypa - The Seed Women in the Central Desert has an all-female roster of rangers.
While three in the Kimberley, Nyul Nyul and Bardi Jawi Women Rangers, Yawuru Women's Ranger Project, and the Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation Rangers, also have an all-female ranger crew.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Ben Wyatt has welcomed the funding as well as the equal opportunity for the women.
"There is also an excellent representation of women rangers across the various projects, with 47 ranger positions created for women," he said.
“It will help improve community wellbeing and resilience, and build leadership in regional and remote areas as well as support business development,” Minister Wyatt said.
The first round of funding for the state’s Aboriginal Ranger Program will be rolled out throughout all six regions in Western Australia.
The Environment Minister, Stephen Dawson said the new initiative drew a strong response from many Aboriginal ranger programs throughout the state, he said it was a reflection of the Indigenous community’s ambitions.
“We strongly support the aspirations of Aboriginal people to welcome visitors to their lands, so they can share a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture and our joint efforts to keep the country healthy and alive,” he said in a statement.
The full list of the first round recipients include:
Central Desert
- Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara Indigenous Protected Area Aboriginal Ranger Project - eight rangers; four female.
- Minyma Uninypa - The Seed Women - four rangers; all female.
Goldfields and South Coast
- Goldfields Land and Sea Council Ranger Program - eight rangers; four female.
- Esperance Tjaltjraak Ranger Program - 12 rangers; six female.
South-West
- Noongar Boodja Mentored Employment and Training Partnership - 12 rangers; six female.
Mid-West
- Pathway to a Malgana Country Land and Sea Management Program - two rangers.
Pilbara
- Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Ranger Program in Karlamilyi National Park - six rangers; three female.
- Yinhawangka Ranger Program - seven rangers; one female.
- Yandeyarra Ranger Program - nine rangers; four female.
Kimberley
- Karajarri-Ngurrara Desert Fire and Biodiversity Project - four rangers; two female.
- Yawuru Women's Ranger Project- three rangers; all female.
- Dampier Peninsula Women Rangers Monsoon Vine Thicket Recovery Project - two rangers (0.8 FTE) and five casual rangers (all female).*
- Building Capacity in the Bunuba Rangers to Better Protect Country and Culture - three rangers; all female.
