First Nations Engagement in Caring for Country

What is Caring for Country?

Caring for Country stems from the Aboriginal concept of maintaining ecological balance and honouring cultural responsibilities. Under careful guidance, terrestrial and aquatic resources are managed periodically for the purpose of long term sustainability.

Together, knowledge of the natural world and Aboriginal philosophies are the basis of caring for ceremonial sites, landforms, resources, instilling values, sharing stories and language and asserting ancestral obligations to Country.

Working and being on Country is essential to the wellbeing of Aboriginal communities and affirms their identity and relationship to their homelands.

Aboriginal communities play a vital role in the management of their Country.

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) is committed to strengthening relationships with the Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians to work together for the care and management of Ngunnawal Country.

First Nations staff within PCS support program and project development, land management activities, interpretation activities acknowledging and respecting the cultural values, practices and aspirations of the Ngunnawal people in a framework of engagement that focuses on co-design and collaboration.