First Nations
Honouring enduring relationships First Nations peoples hold with the lands and waters of the Murray-Darling Basin, this dedicated section of our website respectfully highlights their continuing leadership and contributions toward a sustainable and just future.
One Basin CRC is dedicated to fostering respectful partnerships with First Nations Peoples and Communities, supporting improved access to land and water for cultural, social, and spiritual wellbeing, while advancing economic opportunities and career pathways.
As integral partners in the Cooperative Research Centre, First Nations Peoples will play a central role in shaping research agendas and participating in project delivery, contributing to reciprocal knowledge exchange and capacity building. This commitment is grounded in the cultivation of meaningful relationships, a deep respect for cultural knowledge systems and perspectives, and a shared pursuit of enduring, self-determined opportunities.
Research
The First Nations Research Program recognises Basin Nations as custodians of land and water, central to the Murray-Darling Basin’s environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
Engagement
Our work is guided by culturally grounded principles and reciprocal communities of practice, ensuring engagement is legitimate and non-extractive.
First Nations Engagements
First Nations Applied Management Advisory Committee
One Basin CRC establishes key advisory committee for First Nations Collaboration. The One Basin CRC has established the First Nations Applied Management Advisory Committee (FNAMAC) as a significant step towards embedding Indigenous knowledges and perspectives within its research and activities across the Murray–Darling Basin. Recognising the deep cultural and ecological connections of First Nations peoples […]
The First Nations Research Program recognises Basin Nations as custodians of land and water, central to the Murray-Darling Basin's environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
Integrating cultural knowledge with cutting-edge research, the program aims to strengthen co-design and Basin Nations’ leadership in research crucial for a sustainable Murray-Darling Basin. This program ensures First Nations Peoples and Communities are key contributors to long-term solutions led by intergenerational knowledge transfer for ecosystem protection, while upholding First Nations data sovereignty and self-determination. Key outcomes include stronger governance and decision-making rights with water, land and resource management that lead to economic advancement and social resilience.
Related Links
First Nations Engagement
The One Basin CRC has established the First Nations Applied Management Advisory Committee (FNAMAC) as a significant step towards embedding Indigenous knowledges and perspectives within its research and activities.
First Nation Resources
To support partner organisations and others, we provide access to key Guidelines and a curated selection of First Nations publications.
Our work is grounded in culturally guided principles and built on reciprocal communities of practice, ensuring engagement is not extractive but legitimate, guided by continuity, and community control in how we collaborate.
The First Nations program is actively co-designing initial projects, including initiatives focused on billabongs, freshwater mussels, data sovereignty, and First Nations water policy. Future plans involve a Basin-specific Special Investment Vehicles desktop reviews, exploring generative AI applications, and a Native Grains project. Key strategic steps include expanding partnerships with diverse organisations, continuing to build cultural and research capacity through training and advice, scaling successful pilot projects across the Basin, and using research to advocate for policies promoting sustainable and equitable development for generational change.
Related Links
First Nations Research
The First Nations Research Program recognises Basin Nations as custodians of land and water, central to the Murray-Darling Basin's environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
First Nations Engagement
The One Basin CRC has established the First Nations Applied Management Advisory Committee (FNAMAC) as a significant step towards embedding Indigenous knowledges and perspectives within its research and activities.
Our work is guided by culturally grounded principles and reciprocal communities of practice, ensuring engagement is legitimate and non-extractive, led by community control, cultural continuity, and respectful collaboration at every stage of the process.
The First Nations Research Program has established critical mechanisms to strengthen the cultural capability of the One Basin CRC and position it as a sector leader in First Nations engagement and capacity building. Central to this work is the formation of a First Nations Advisory Committee, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives, knowledges, and rights are embedded in governance and decision-making processes. Complementary initiatives include the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan, active community engagement through Cultural Shares and an Online Yarning Circle, and the delivery of Cultural Sensitivity Training for staff—all designed to support respectful, authentic, and enduring relationships with First Nations communities.
Find out more about our First Nations programs, cultural training, events and best practice engagements.
Browse all First Nations EngagementBest Practice
Related Links
First Nations Research
The First Nations Research Program recognises Basin Nations as custodians of land and water, central to the Murray-Darling Basin's environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
First Nations Projects
Our work is grounded in culturally guided principles and built on reciprocal communities of practice, ensuring engagement is not extractive but legitimate, guided by continuity, and community control in how we collaborate.
To support partner organisations and others, we provide access to key Guidelines and a curated selection of First Nations publications, fostering deeper understanding and offering valuable references to inform and strengthen research practice.
This suite of Guidelines supports the implementation of the One Basin CRC First Nations Research Policy, providing practical direction for respectful, ethical, and impactful engagement with First Nations Peoples and Communities. Grounded in principles of co-design, data sovereignty, digital inclusion, and capacity building, these Guidelines reflect our commitment to centring Indigenous knowledges, rights, and priorities across all aspects of research. Each document serves to strengthen cultural integrity, support authentic partnerships, and ensure that research processes are non-extractive, community-led, and transformative. Collectively, these Guidelines position the CRC as a sector leader in First Nations engagement across the Murray-Darling Basin and beyond.
Essential Readings
Related Links
First Nations Research
The First Nations Research Program recognises Basin Nations as custodians of land and water, central to the Murray-Darling Basin's environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
First Nations Engagement
Our work is guided by culturally grounded principles and reciprocal communities of practice, ensuring engagement is legitimate and non-extractive.
Location
One Basin CRC Headquarters
Melbourne, VIC 3000, AU
Please fill out the below form and your email will be forwarded to the appropriate person. For individual staff details please see Our People Page.
Related Links
First Nations Research
The First Nations Research Program recognises Basin Nations as custodians of land and water, central to the Murray-Darling Basin's environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
First Nations Engagement
Our work is guided by culturally grounded principles and reciprocal communities of practice, ensuring engagement is legitimate and non-extractive.