May 16/17 the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) held the National Indigenous Carbon Forum. Murawin CEO, Carol Vale was proud to be involved as facilitator of the 2 day online event for ICIN.
Co-Chair of ICIN, Dean Yibarbuk (Gurrgoni) stated at the Forum “We are leading the way, it makes me really proud. It has given me strength to keep moving forward. This tool we have is knowledge that’s been passed down over thousands of years. Our young ones are now following in our footsteps. It is not for us, it’s for our children. We want our children to become professionals. I’m proud to see this program succeeding. We have to be clear about how we manage our country, fire is our tool, and now we’ve made it into something that supports us to make a living.”
The carbon market is a dynamic and fast-moving space. Within the space, the Indigenous carbon market is relatively new, and discussion is essential to ensure the development of the systems works for First Nations groups and the broader industry.
While the Indigenous carbon market comes with opportunities for Indigenous groups it also presents risks and a complex structure to negotiate. The ICIN mission is to “promote and facilitate an active, innovative, and Indigenous-led carbon industry supporting healthy country and better livelihoods for Indigenous people”. ICIN work to provide a culturally safe place to share knowledge, and together, strengthen Indigenous voice in the industry.
ICIN created the National Indigenous Carbon Forum as an opportunity for Indigenous groups to come together and discuss the carbon market, the Indigenous carbon industry within the market, the systems which control it, and Indigenous rights and interests in carbon.
The forum additionally enabled Indigenous groups to inform decision-makers directly of their experiences in the carbon industry, and to inform the upcoming Carbon Farming Forum hosted by the Carbon Market Institute happening 22 May.
A Statement outlining key messages is being drafted from the discussion over the last 2 days. The Statement from ICIN will be published and presented to the broader carbon market industry at the Carbon Market Institute event later this month.
It was a rich and dynamic discussion throughout the forum, with Indigenous and non-Indigenous speakers coming together to listen to each other, share insights and offer ways for First Nations to lead in this area. It was powerful to hear Indigenous voices speaking up loud and strong on matters which directly affect them and being heard. The theme of the forum rang true as passionate First Nations participants gathered ‘Exploring opportunities’ and ‘Defining our rights’.
Murawin have worked for almost a decade to break intergenerational cycles of disadvantage for Indigenous Australians, and to amplify their voices. When Indigenous Australians are given opportunity to speak and be heard on matters which affect their lives, it is a proactive contribution to closing the gap, and improved futures for all Australians together.
We thank the ICIN for enabling this important event. If you would like to know more head to their website: https://www.icin.org.au/
