Hunter, NSW
Living Knowledge Network has been working with communities in the Hunter region since 2016 when the Biriban Local Aboriginal Land Council collaborated with local groups to return Cultural Fire to land in Morisset for the first time since colonisation. This sparked a pilot program led by four Local Aboriginal Land Councils to engage LKN in a series of Cultural Burns over four years. In 2020, the first Mentoring Program began in the Hunter region which culminated in the recognition of 22 new Cultural Fire Practitioners in 2023. Throughout their mentorship, practitioners engaged in a series of interactive projects on Country, including the development of an interpretative signage guided tour that showcases their efforts to revive Cultural Fire practice.
“Through the Living Knowledge Network Mentoring Program, I’ve learnt about how Cultural Burning regenerates the land, getting rid of all the noxious material and bringing it back to how it was 300 years ago. Doing this fire training is so great. It just brings you back to Mother Earth and the connection that we have.”
Norman Archibald
Gumbaynggirr and Gomeroi Fire Practitioner
Journey of a Cultural Fire Practitioner – Whitney Ridgeway
A Living Knowledge Network and Backbone Co-Production filmed on Worimi Country.
Footprint
We partner with Traditional Owners, Community groups and land holders to restore the health of Country and people through Indigenous Land Management practices. This collaborative work delivers diverse outcomes, from boosting community resilience and agricultural profitability to creating employment and revitalising koala habitats. It demonstrates what can be achieved when communities determine the way forward. Explore some of the work we’ve achieved with our partners.
Awakabal Country | Credit: Saskia Wilson
