Indigenous Fire Ecology Training in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria

Within contemporary Australian fire management, the discourse of risk and hazard reduction too often sidelines more holistic understandings of fire as an essential and productive element within connected landscapes. While there is increasing recognition of the importance of Indigenous fire knowledge and practices across Australia, these are rarely integrated in a meaningful way with conventional fire services. The Gangalidda and Garawa People from the lower Gulf of Carpentaria have developed Australia’s first Indigenous owned and managed fire training program. The Jigija Indigenous Fire Training Program provides a unique opportunity for Traditional Owners to share their knowledge of fire, with instruction on mosaic burning techniques, using fire to manage pasture, seasonal burning and the importance of monitoring burn frequency and intensity.