The First Nation(s) Party has announced a revolutionary election policy to return full control of all Crown Nature Reserves in the Australian Capital Territory, including inside City limits, to local First Nations people. This policy marks a bold step toward dismantling colonial legacies and restoring the rightful ownership and stewardship of Indigenous lands.
The Key Points of the Policy:
Restoration of Sovereignty: The policy mandates the transfer of full control and rights of all Crown Nature Reserves, which cover more than 60% of the ACT, including Namadgi National Park, Tidbinbilla, Molonglo River Reserve, the Murrumbidgee River Corridor, the Lower Cotter Catchment, Canberra Nature Park and urban reserves like Black Mountain Nature Reserve, Red Hill Nature Reserve, Mount Taylor and Mount Ainslie, back to local First Nations peoples.
Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri Leader, said,
“This measure honours traditional ownership and empowers Indigenous people to reclaim their ancestral lands.”
Sustainable Land Management: Utilising Indigenous knowledge and practices, the policy aims to ensure sustainable and environmentally responsible stewardship of nature reserves. Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri Leader, said,
“First Nation people’s deep-rooted connection to the land will drive conservation efforts that modern approaches have failed to achieve.”
Cultural Preservation: Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri Leader, said,
“Returning control of these lands to First Nations peoples aims to protect and promote the cultural heritage, languages, and traditions of First Nations communities, providing opportunities for cultural education, the preservation of sacred sites, and the revival of traditional practices.”
Economic Empowerment: Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri Leader, said,
“Our policy outlines provisions for supporting economic development through eco-tourism, land-based enterprises, and employment opportunities for First Nations people. It fosters generational wealth and sustainable economic growth while respecting cultural values and environmental preservation.”
Decolonising Governance: Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri Leader, said,
“Our policy establishes a framework for decolonised governance, encouraging partnerships between the government and First Nations peoples to ensure the effective and inclusive management of nature reserves.”
Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Kamberri and First Nations Party Leader said,
“This policy is a revolutionary yet necessary step towards rectifying historical injustices and recognising the inherent sovereignty of First Nations people. We are reclaiming what was unjustly taken from us.”
