Kaanju people possess a broad and detailed knowledge of the ecology of our traditional homelands based on many thousands of years of empirical observations and sustainable land management practice. Our scientific knowledge involves an intricate understanding of environmental structures and processes which has immediate relevance and application to our land management practice today and also to the reestablishment of sustainable permanent communities and the development of economic enterprises on our homelands.
Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation and Kaanju Traditional Owners living on homelands at Chuulangun are working on an on-going Ethno-ecology project with the assistance of ethno-botanist Nick Smith. This project supports a multi-disciplinary approach to the transfer, maintenance and application of local scientific knowledge. The project's main aims are:
- To determine the best options for maintenance and transfer of local scientific knowledge.
- To facilitate of the transfer of Kaanju ecological knowledge to younger generations of Kaanju people.
- To investigate relationships between biodiversity snd cultural diversity.
- To explore the practical applications of local scientific knowledge on Kaanju homelands.
- To identify priorities and appropriate processes needed for collegiate land management research.
A database is being created with information and images, combined with GIS capabilities. A version of this database will eventually be available on the Kaanju Ngaachi web site. The GIS system has primarily been used for land management planning, including weed and feral animal control and sustainable economic development.
This project was initiated by Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation and is locally driven in all aspects. The Kaanju people are working on this project in collaboration with a number of research centres, including the Centre for Indigenous Natural and Cultural Resource Management (CINCRM) and the Key Centre for Tropical Wildlife Management (KCTWM) at Charles Darwin University.
This project is linked with the Kaanju Fire Management Project, the Kaanju Weeds Project and the Kaanju Oils Distillation Trial, and is an important facilitator of Kaanju Knowledge and Information Transfer.
