After numerous 'once in a generation' disasters, a new summit suggests Indigenous expertise could help us better prepare for times of crisis.
abc.net.au/news/qld-national-indigenous-disaster-resilience-summit-flood-fire/102756590When the flood waters started rising in Burketown in the Gulf of Carpentaria in March, Murrandoo Yanner Jnr felt he and his rangers were quick to help their community.
But before the floods struck this time around, Indigenous locals had prepared – which Mr Yanner Jnr said helped mitigate the damage. Academics, professionals, and those with lived experience gathered at the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Summit this week. "They've been there for thousands and thousands of years but they've lived through floods, ice ages, cyclones and they're still living in those regions," he said.
Emma McNicol, a senior project coordinator with the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Project, agreed that local knowledge was invaluable. Red Cross Regional Coordinator for Emergency Services Sam Savage, who is based in Townsville, said some progress has been made but more needs to be done."Not just a voice with an advisory role but in a voice with authority."With fire season around the corner"It's been a very, very dry winter … It's very scary going into summer with how dry and relatively warm it's been," she said.
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