Meet some of the Indigenous Australians joining the renewable energy transition
In Australia, just 1% of renewable energy developments involve First Nations communities and workers compared with 20% in Canada. The Guardian talks to some First Nations people who believe the sector offers a ‘new moment’ for Aboriginal people.
Jamie Wood on Nari Nari country believes wind turbines may pay the way for grand ambitions for his people.
“We’ve always said we want the destiny in our hands,” says Woods, the chair of the Nari Nari Tribal Council and land manager of Gayini, a vast property in south-western New South Wales that was returned to the NNTC in 2019.
Within his community’s rich landscape of biodiverse floodplains and Indigenous heritage, Woods sees a cultural centre to train budding bush rangers working to protect their country. In nearby regional towns, he speaks of Indigenous-led social programs to divert teenagers from entering the youth justice system, or to counter stubborn rates of suicide – particularly high among First Nations people.
Now, moving “at the pace of trust” with the windfarm developer Kilara Energy, Woods says the revenue from hosting turbines on the land may help those plans be fully realised.
“We have big ideas,” he says. “This industry will help us get there quicker.”
Read the full Guardian story by reporter Aston Brown on the growing number of opportunities for First Nations communities, click here.
In May, the Common Threads conference -- a unique event for Aboriginal campaigners, community organisers and change-makers from across Australia -- the first conference of its kind since the failure of the Voice referendum.
Watch the Common Threads video (below, or click here) and be inspired.
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