Posted: March 29th, 2016

develop a constructive critique of the Aboriginal Waterways Assessment (AWA) tool that MLDRIN are currently developing in collaboration with the Murray‐Darling Basin Authority

Aboriginal Waterways Assessment Assignment
This 1500 word assignment is a unique opportunity to provide your research and critical thinking as a resource for an Indigenous organisation. Selected assignments will, with your permission, be forwarded to the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) for their consideration. (MLDRIN) is a confederation of Indigenous Nations or Traditional Owners in the lower southern part of the Murray‐Darling Basin.
Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN)
MLDRIN ’…is a confederation of Indigenous Nations or traditional owners in the lower southern part of the Murray Darling Basin.’ (MLDRIN website, www.mldrin.org.au).
Mainstream NRM utilises assessment processes to consider the health and describe the ecological character of Country. These assessments then form the basis for future management directions. The privileging of Western scientific knowledge in the development and implementation of these assessment processes can therefore act to further colonise Indigenous groups and create obstacles to Care as Country.
Some Indigenous groups are developing assessment processes framed by their own worldviews and others are working with non‐Indigenous practitioners to negotiate the integration of their own worldviews into mainstream NRM assessment processes. This complex process has significant challenges, risks and opportunities.
The aim of this assignment is to develop a constructive critique of the Aboriginal Waterways Assessment (AWA) tool that MLDRIN are currently developing in collaboration with the Murray‐Darling Basin Authority. Your assignment will provide research and recommendations to MLDRIN to help inform their future engagement with the tool.