This World Water Day, join us for a panel discussion exploring the future of First Nations’ water justice. The all-Indigenous panel of experts will discuss upcoming opportunities to improve water outcomes for Indigenous peoples across Australia and considerations for an inclusive and rights-based approach to water policy-making.

After the discussion, join us to officially launch the 2024 Institute for Water Futures (IWF) Cultural Residency program and welcome our new resident, Jessika Spencer.  Based loosely on the concept of an artist-in-residence, the cultural residency is a one-year program that draws on the process of creating art to foster cross-cultural understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures.

This is an in-person only event.  The discussion will be recorded with a video available on IWF channels in subsequent weeks.  

Complimentary refreshments will follow the discussion.

This event is hosted by the ANU Institute for Water Futures and the Water Justice Hub. 

Program:

Welcome to Country: 1:30pm

Panel Discussion 2-3pm 

Cultural Residency launch and networking: 3-4pm

Panellists

Professor Anne Poelina is a Nyikina Warrwa woman from the Kimberley.  She is Chair of Indigenous Knowledges and Senior Research Fellow, Nulungu Institute, University of Notre Dame Australia, Chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council, an active community leader, human and earth rights advocate, and filmmaker.  Her work focuses on issues around environmental and cultural protection in the Kimberley.

Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge is a Kamilaroi man, environmental hydrogeologist, and currently an Associate Professor in Indigenous Water Science at the University of Canberra’s Centre for Applied Water Science. His research focuses on how Traditional Knowledge of water can be better utilised in western water management. 

Warren Martin is a Burramattical Aboriginal man and the Director of Consultancy at i2i Global - a majority-owned Aboriginal company which optimises the employment of Indigenous people and enhances Indigenous business capabilities.  Warren has a long track record of successfully engaging and partnering Indigenous communities with key stakeholders to co-design and co-deliver place-based initiatives. 

Melissa Kennedy is a Tati Tati woman from the Murray River Country and a Research Fellow with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course.  Melissa’s focus is on the relationship between water (Cultural Flows) and Indigenous wellbeing over the life course, with a view to enabling policy change and empowering local Indigenous stakeholders. 

Moderator

Professor Lorrae van Kerkhoff is the Director of the ANU Institute for Water Futures and the Associate Director of Staff Development at the ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society. Her research focuses on integrative and transdisciplinary research concepts and methods, knowledge governance and ‘future-oriented’ approaches to conservation.