An Aboriginal-owned enterprise dedicated to cultural heritage, sustainable land management, and empowering the Barapa Barapa community.
As a 100% Aboriginal-owned, not-for-profit sole trader, we proudly serve the Barapa Barapa Country, which spans the Gannawarra and Loddon Shire areas. Our mission is to establish a strong foundation that supports cultural preservation while fostering employment, training, and education opportunities for the Barapa Barapa people.
Our work focuses on land and water management within the traditional lands of the Barapa Barapa people, extending from the Gunbower Forest down the Murray River toward Swan Hill, encompassing towns like Kerang and Koondrook. We collaborate with public and private land managers, including Parks Victoria, DEECA, local shires, private individuals, and companies. Our services include Aboriginal cultural heritage (identification and preservation), planning and delivering cultural burns, and implementing of environment protection.
Barapa began with a focus on traditional cultural practices, such as site identification and land management projects. With growing interest, we have expanded to include grant delivery for State-funded projects and private contracts. Today, we also play a broader role in general land management.
One of our key initiatives is reintroducing cultural burn practices to Barapa Barapa Country. These practices are not only vital for healing the land but also for reconnecting with our heritage and ourselves. Cultural burning helps protect assets, prepare for fire seasons, support the revegetation of damaged areas, and encourage native plant growth. We aim to make these practices accessible to all land managers, fostering partnerships with Traditional Owners and DEECA (State Government) to manage the land sustainably and knowledgeably.
We are deeply committed to working alongside neighbouring Traditional Owner groups and have frequently partnered with them to address environmental challenges collaboratively. This spirit of partnership underscores our dedication to preserving and revitalizing Barapa Barapa Country for future generations.
Our Work process
Collaboration with Stakeholders
We collaborate with public and private land managers, including local, government bodies and private landowners, to enhance and safeguard biodiversity across diverse ecosystems. By integrating cultural knowledge and practices with coordinated efforts, we support both wildlife conservation and communities.
Cultural and Environmental Assessment
Our team conducts comprehensive assessments of the land, identifying culturally significant sites, environmental concerns, and opportunities for preservation or enhancement, in alignment with Aboriginal cultural values and practices.
Strategy and Planning
We develop tailored strategies and action plans that integrate cultural heritage preservation, sustainable land management, and ecological restoration, ensuring the needs of both the land and the community are met through culturally informed practices.
Implementation
Our team implements a range of land and water management activities, including cultural burn practices, site assessments and planning, and the protection of local fauna and flora, guided by both best practices and traditional knowledge.