First Peoples Connection to Country

Fires have always been a part of the Australian environment, shaping the landscape over millions of years. Australia’s First Peoples continue to use fire to care for Country. Cultural or cold burning creates low-temperature and low-intensity fires that reduce fuel load and stimulate plant growth, whilst leaving mature trees safe. Low-intensity fires also allow land animals, birds and insects to escape the flames and return after the fires have passed.

Victorian Traditional Owners are increasingly being recognised by the state as partners in land and water management and through this, realising their aspirations for Cultural Fire practices to continue to allow for healing and caring for Country. A hope for many First Peoples at this time is to be able to share and continue their knowledge in caring for Country for all Australians.

Museums Victoria acknowledges this continuous relationship of Australia’s First Peoples  with their Country, and we believe that we can work together to continue caring for this land into the future.  Underpinning our Strategic Plan 2017-25 is our commitment to placing First Peoples’ living cultures, histories and knowledge at the core of our practice.

Museums Victoria is working with First Peoples across south-eastern Australia to share their knowledge and experience to ensure a culturally respectful and appropriate approach to all that we do. Our First Peoples department is also collaborating with Traditional Owners on new place-based projects throughout south-eastern Australia. These aim to take a multidisciplinary approach to connect with First Peoples’ communities to share histories and knowledge.