Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Access and Engagement Strategy
The Australian Land Conservation Alliance recognises and respects the deep and enduring relationship that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples have with land, sea and water, and their enduring persistence, knowledge and connection that has been built over tens of thousands of years.
We recognise that for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, nature and culture are inextricably connected. We acknowledge and value the role Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in managing Country today and their right to self-determination.
The 2025 ALCA Conference is an opportunity to reflect on, learn from, and celebrate these connections and relationships.
The ALCA Conference aims to be an inclusive and culturally safe event that engages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander delegates to attend and actively participate. To achieve this, we implement ALCA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access and Engagement Strategy.
Please contact marnie@alca.org.au to discuss bursaries to support attendance.
Knowledge
of Country
The ‘Knowledge of Country’ artwork you see below, and which you will also see in conference communications, was created by Maria Watson-Trudgett, of Wiradyuri people. Maria is a First Nations consultant and Aboriginal artist. Maria says:
“To First Nations peoples, ‘Country’ is all things, it is a place of belonging and a way of life. Country incorporates the sea, rivers, waterholes and air, the desert, land, mountains, hills and valleys, plants, animals, people and cultural obligations. Country embraces the seasons, constellations of the sky and Dreaming stories.
I have created the symbols to reflect the getting together of likeminded people to learn and share the cultural knowledge of Country.”
Symbols from top to bottom represent:
Air & Constellations
Mountains & Valleys
Sea
Fresh water
Desert
Land
The Circle represents coming together to yarn, learn and share knowledge