Indigenous land and sea management across Darwin will be strengthened thanks to a new partnership between North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) and the Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers.

In its role supporting capacity building in Indigenous organisations, NAILSMA has assisted the Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers to purchase important equipment, including new PPE and a slip on fire fighting unit, for the group’s newly established fire management program.

NAILSMA will also provide funding support for cultural and knowledge exchange between the Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers, Larrakia Elders and other Indigenous ranger groups with experience delivering fire management across large areas of traditional Country.

It is the first time that Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers will deliver fire services across the Darwin region on Larrakia country, with 12 rangers completing Level 1 firefighting training with Bush Fires NT.

Larrakia Nation said this funding has provided the ranger group with the equipment and PPE to keep them safe when working around fire. The training and equipment will set the rangers up to manage and assist with fire mitigation on Larrakia land and connect with Country.

“The PPE is of the latest technology and will ensure that the rangers are safe and provide the rangers with peace of mind when conducting fire mitigation works,” Ranger Manager Michael Carter said.

“Larrakia Nation Land and Sea Rangers would like to thank Mr Barry Hunter and NAILSMA, and look forward to working together in partnership.”

NAILSMA CEO Barry Hunter said supporting Indigenous ranger groups to undertake fire management was a key step towards creating improved environmental and cultural outcomes on Country.

“I’m excited that this partnership is about enhancing on country outcomes and supporting capacity and capability,” Mr Hunter said. “Importantly it builds on NAILSMA’s strong cultural connection where our operations are based.”