The largest gathering of Indigenous rangers in Australia

7 minute watch

The 2022 IDA Conference was the largest gathering of Indigenous rangers in Australia with 375 delegates from over 40 desert ranger teams making the journey to Yulara, Northern Territory.

The 2022 IDA Conference marked the first time rangers from across the desert have been able to meet in person since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was a special time, full of joy, laughs and passion. Rangers made their mob proud by speaking up for country and discussing Indigenous land management priorities for one-third of the Australian land mass.

Rangers and their elders travelled long distances to get to Yulara this year. It demonstrates the dedication of desert ranger groups keeping country healthy. Sharing and passing down knowledge is so important and once again the IDA Conference enabled the alliance to learn, share, connect and grow.

The Conference was reported in the Canberra Times and Perth Now.

We can’t manage a place as big as the desert without connections and networks. So, I am proud of all the ranger groups continuing to come together like our old people started thousands of years ago.

Nyaparu Rose, IDA Chairperson

The conference program facilitated presentations from over 20 ranger teams in dedicated sessions covering key topics including fire, ranger team exchanges, ranger development and threatened species.

Throughout the three-day program there was a wide variety of field trips and practical workshops to activate discussion and share knowledge.

Michael Douglas

Chloe Erlich

Conference delegates also heard from invited keynote speakers, Fred Chaney AO, the Honourable Chansey Paech. The Honourable Linda Burney spoke via video message.

Fred Chaney is a long-time supporter of Aboriginal people, and his keynote address was moving, and a great tribute to the people who fought for Aboriginal land rights, as well as those who continue to look after country today. Fred spoke about Indigenous rangers making people feel joyous about Australia and recognising the importance of culture and connection to country.

Watch Fred Chaney's keynote address to delegates at the 2022 IDA Conference, delivered on Thursday the 10th of November

Minister Paech’s speech centred on “Our country is strong when our people are strong”. The Minister made a passionate speech that recognised the power of Indigenous Rangers standing up for desert country and said, “Today in this room I can see, I can feel, and I can hear the power.”

Watch Chansey Paech's keynote address to delegates at the 2022 IDA Conference, delivered on Tuesday the 8th of November

The Ranger-to-Ranger sessions facilitated rangers and elders to speak openly about their aspirations, concerns, and goals for the desert Indigenous land management sector. Once again, these Indigenous-facilitated sessions will inform the IDA’s agenda over the next twelve months.

All sessions, including men, women and elder-to-elder were facilitated by Indigenous staff. These priorities were presented back to the conference on the final day.

Andre Sawenko

Chloe Erlich

Thank you to all the conference sponsors and invited guests for your on-going support. We are proud to be working with you to bring the alliance together, to share a laugh and celebrate the achievements of Indigenous desert rangers.

It has been three years since the last in person conference, so it was a great thrill to finally be together again as one big desert family, this Indigenous Desert Alliance. Palya!