Stewart Dallas
and Michael Sherriff, research consultants with the ETC, recently
undertook a major field trip through the Ngaanyatjarra lands, close
to the WA, SA and NT borders. The ETC is currently working on a major
scoping study of maintenance issues in remote and desert communities
funded through its relationship with the Desert Knowledge Cooperative
Research Centre, based in Alice Springs.
Stewart and Michael
were also invited to make a special presentation at the Western Desert
Regional Council on the project and the ongoing work of both the
ETC and RADG (Remote Area Developments Group).
Together with
partners from Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory Government,
Central Land Council, Desert Peoples Centre (Batchelor Institute
of Indigenous Tertiary Education and Centre for Appropriate Technology
Inc.) and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) the ETC and
RADG research team will work for the next 18 months on this major
scoping study. Twelve communities will ultimately be selected for
indepth analysis with a view to identifying problems and possible
solutions through an examination of best practice in remote and desert
communities.
"There are
many challenges facing desert communities but also many things to
learn from them," commented Project Team Leader Dr Martin Anda. "The
Cooperative Research Centre model will bring together the best researchers
in the country to work in collaboration with Indigenous peoples to
not only solve problems but learn valuable lessons. The arid regions
of Australia have successfully been inhabited for countless thousands
of years by Aboriginal peoples and as white Australians we have much
to learn."
Above: Wild Camels: Michael Sherriff at an isolated
ablution block: Cooking on the road.
