Listening up good way: 2024 desert internship program

3 minute read

This year, Nyangumarta Rangers and Nyikina Mangala Rangers partnered up with the IDA to run the Desert Internship Program for its second year. The program was developed in response to rangers and TOs identifying the need for strong ranger coordinators in a growing sector, and to create new pathways to engaging and training them.

Interns Melaina, Kyle and Ben ventured north to meet with the ranger teams for their two week immersive on-country experience, where they were encouraged to focus on listening and connecting to rangers. They were also asked to yarn up with rangers about what makes a good coordinator.

(L-R) Nic Rodway, Robert Watson, Kyle Hutchison, Raymond Charles, Albert Watson, Kevin Tromp, Jeremiah Green, Ben French and Sarnold Green on Nyikina Mangala Country.

(L-R) Melaina Chapman, Vallerina Aspro, Leesharni Thomas, Nora Tinker and Roberta Hunter on Nyangumarta Country.

"I'd like to see a coordinator stay a bit more longer in the area, get used to the country side and all that. Show them round. Yeah, I'd like to see them stay a bit more longer."

Sarnold Green, Nyikina Mangala Ranger

The Nyangumarta rangers talked about the importance of learning from Elders and working together good way. They also talked about the value of two-way learning, benefitting not just the ranger team and coordinator, but also the wider program.

"[A good ranger coordinator] brings the two-way."

Ishmael, Nyangumarta Ranger

The rangers showed interns the ways of managing threatened wiliji (black-footed rock-wallaby) and marsupial moles, supporting field research on biyal biyal (freshwater sawfish), controlling feral animals, assisting Elders in recording cultural heritage values, and hosting on-Country cultural awareness training. Most importantly, the interns gained an understanding of how culture and community sit at the centre of Indigenous land management and experienced the magic of working in the desert.

"Being in the desert completely gets under your skin – and I don't mean the red dirt in your fingernails. It's a slow burn into the soul. And being there on desert country to work alongside the Nyangumarta rangers and Elders you get to see firsthand how their caring for land has an impact. Not just at a local scale, but throughout the connecting landscape and beyond. There's not really words for that, it's like nothing else."

Melaina Chapman, 2024 Intern

Mel on Nyangumarta Country at rocky outcrops, home to threatened black-footed rock-wallaby.

Outside of their time on Country, the interns spent time in the Perth office talking about the main skills of a good ranger coordinator, and reflecting on their time on Country.

"It was a privilege to be hosted by the rangers and understand the depth of their connection to Country. The Nyikina Mangala mob were incredibly welcoming, and showed us how they are keeping Culture and Country strong for their community. A career supporting that would be well spent."

Ben French, 2024 intern

Ben on Nyikina Mangala country.

The internship was only possible because of the genuine care and interest that the Nyikina Mangala and Nyangumarta rangers showed for the learning journey of the interns. The IDA would like to thank Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation, Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, and the rangers and Elders for welcoming the interns so wholeheartedly onto their country.

"If you think you know then that's as much as you'll know. In other words, having lots of knowledge and experience is good, but an open mind and heart is far more valuable. It's our capacity to continue to grow and learn that is most important."

Kyle Hutchison, 2024 Intern