Combining Yawuru cultural mapping with conservation and agricultural values

Over recent years, Nyamba Buru Yawuru have been developing in-house Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approaches to mapping country. This presentation provides some examples of how Yawuru cultural mapping can be strategically combined with additional land use data (e.g. agricultural and conservation values) to assess planning scenarios or potential future impacts. This process can be presented as a Multi Objective Land use Allocation (MOLA) to assist Prescribed Body Corporates with third party negotiations, decision making and monitoring country over time. Advantages associated with the MOLA approach include the use of mapping as a common language and a dynamic tool to present aspects of the living cultural landscape that defines Yawuru country. Specific examples are discussed as well as broader considerations regarding Indigenous cultural and resource management.