NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal peoples

The EPA acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the enduring Custodians of the land, sea, waters and skies of New South Wales.

We recognise the entire NSW landscape, including the lands, waters, plant and animal species and seas, has spiritual and cultural significance to all Aboriginal peoples of NSW. By this understanding there is no separation of nature, wellbeing and culture. The health of the natural environment, and the health of people and culture, are intimately connected.

The EPA is committed to prioritising meaningful relationships with Aboriginal peoples to deepen our understanding of how best to Care for Country. Through our partnership with the EPA Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group, we fully acknowledge and embrace the invaluable knowledge they hold and provide to enhance our work as environmental stewards.

The Group comprises members from Rainforest, Desert, Saltwater and Freshwater people, coming together as a unified voice for Country.

We listen to the Group as it guides, advises, nurtures and challenges us to uphold the 12 principles outlined in the EPA’s Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal Peoples:

  1. Work in respectful partnership with Aboriginal peoples.
  2. Actively learn from and listen to Aboriginal voices, cultures and knowledges.
  3. Respect Aboriginal peoples’ knowledges and science as an equal to western science.
  4. Weave Aboriginal knowledges and science with conventional science into the EPA’s decision making.
  5. Act boldly and bravely to play our part to mend and heal Country together.
  6. Ensure Aboriginal knowledges, science and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) is protected, and Aboriginal peoples have free, prior informed consent.
  7. Address both the tangible and intangible cultural elements of environmental protection.
  8. Deliver on results that have direct benefits for Aboriginal communities.
  9. Embed consistent, meaningful and trustworthy engagement with Aboriginal communities.
  10. Develop Aboriginal cultural competency across the agency.
  11. Increase Aboriginal employment across the agency to exceed public sector Aboriginal employment targets, and identify specific occupational gaps.
  12. Monitor the impact of this Commitment to Aboriginal peoples, Country, cultures and spirit.

This collaboration ensures our strategic initiatives are firmly grounded in principles of respect and sustainability.