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Tiwi Ranger Derek Puruntatameri said, "It's really important that we've got this IPA now. It keeps the ranger program going; the funding comes in through the IPA. We've got a junior ranger program up and running on Melville Island, but next year we're expanding over to Bathurst.
"And for the community, it keeps culture strong."
There is an unbroken history of occupation and ownership of the Tiwi Islands for thousands of years by the Tiwi people. They have strong ties to ancestral lands, habitats and wildlife, and their livelihoods are dependent on natural resources. The Tiwi Islands are made up of two main islands - Bathurst & Melville Islands, with Melville the second largest island in Australia.
The Tiwis is a refuge for many rare native animals and plants. There are 19 threatened plant species and 33 threatened animal species on the Tiwi Islands, and also over 200 ant species call the Tiwis home, so it's absolutely critical that this Country is secured into the future. The Tiwi people have worked long and hard to plan this IPA - they’ve considered threatened species, invasive weed and feral pest control, cultural site protection, fire management and much more as part of their IPA Management Plan.
Country Needs People CEO Paddy O'Leary was thrilled to attend the IPA Dedication at Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands.
The IPA network is growing throughout Australia and has a unique role in providing a framework guiding cross-cultural management of land and sea. IPAs open up opportunities for better tourism management, collaborations with Indigenous Rangers and scientists, government agencies, philanthropy and non-profit organisations, and they deliver essential frontline biodiversity protection that benefits every Australian.
Huge congrats to our friends on the Tiwi islands, we’re proud to have contributed in a number of ways to this Tiwi-led initiative and congratulate the Tiwi Land Council, Tiwi Resources, IPA committee and all Tiwi Traditional Owners on this milestone. Another reason it’s so important that the Federal Government secures and grows our IPA and Ranger network into the future.
Banner Image: Karen Tipiloura – Deputy Chair Tiwi IPA Committee. Photo: David Hancock, Tiwi Resources.
We pay our respects to all the First Nations people around Australia and their unbroken commitment to keep Country strong on land and sea. We acknowledge Indigenous partners, Traditional Owners, Elders past, present and emerging and extend our appreciation of their support and guidance of our daily work.
