This film explores aboriginal groups in Maningrida, Northern Australia and their journey from colonial instituted settlements back to their traditional homes, reclaiming a traditional way of life and preserving their ecological knowledge.

Synopsis and Review

In the 1950’s colonial settlers reached the northern coast of Australia and immediately began to move the aboriginal population into settlement areas, including two in Maningrida. The settlements in Maningrida brought 2000 people from twelve different language groups into a single location. In 1977, the government granted aboriginals ownership once again of their traditional land. Some families immediately returned to these lands, creating small familial communities known as “outstations”. While this return to the bush was relatively easy for those of the older generation, it proved more difficult for the younger generation who were born in Maningrida. Three years after the land had been returned to them most of the aboriginal population still remained in Maningrida. In order to encourage more to return to their traditional land and life, the elders of the community decided to make it an “economic project”. If the return to the bush could be economically viable more would return, including the younger generation. In 1999 they created a ranger program for young people to care for the land and harvest its resources. With the help of outside experts and consultants they developed a small industry using traditional skills and products.

While economic benefit was an aspect of the project, the film stresses that the primary goal of the elders who created the program was the preservation of traditional knowledge and culture. The film, which is told by members of the community with refreshingly little narration, is the story of an indigenous venture that successfully combines the sustainable use of natural resources, income generation and the preservation of traditional knowledge. While outside experts and consultants were invited to assist the ranger program with the production process and with the marketing of its resources, the project was founded and is almost entirely run by the aboriginal community of the outstations. A portion of all profits is returned to these communities. The resources used include morinda (Morinda citrifolia) fruit for juice, native cycads for collectors, crocodile and long neck turtle eggs whose hatchlings are sold, a native plant nursery, and marine sponges (the film focuses primarily on morinda juice and long-neck turtles). Through cooperation with scientists and local universities the project also appears to be aware of and intent upon ensuring sustainability in its use of natural resources. This emphasis is illustrated by a research project conducted with the local university to investigate the environmental impact of their turtle egg harvesting for the pet industry.

The success of the ranger program is seen not only in the income generation of these projects but also in the number of people returning from Maningrida to their traditional land. Ironically, however, this success also begs the question: Can the project still be sustainable as the number of people taking part in it and as the number of those depending on these resources increases? Additionally, while the products receiving the most attention in the film, such as morinda fruit and long neck turtles, appear sustainable one leaves the film wondering if other projects can be equally sustainable when they involve the use of such vulnerable species as the marine sponge and crocodile. Overall this is a wonderful film highlighting an indigenous initiative to reclaim and maintain traditional knowledge and culture.

Prepared by Erin Smith