Integrating Different Knowledge Systems Between Western Science and TEK to Care for Country
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| 2:10 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Graham Moore, Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy & Water
Three Key Learnings
Presenting under the topic Indigenous Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Country Protection
Paper
1. Engagement of Aboriginal peoples in decision making 2. Aboriginal Communities involvement in Planning in Cultural Mapping 3. Caring for Country into the future
1. Engagement of Aboriginal peoples in decision making 2. Aboriginal Communities involvement in Planning in Cultural Mapping 3. Caring for Country into the future
Presenter
Mr Graham Moore
Senior Cultural Scientist
Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy & Water
Integrating Different Knowledge Systems Between Western Science and TEK to Care for Country
Presentation Overview
The Cultural Science team within (DCCEEW) is collaborating with Merriman’s Local Aboriginal Land Council on the Far South Coast of NSW through the Fire and Country and Cultural Values Project. This project aims to support a community led approach for Aboriginal participation in bushfire risk management planning, ensuring the protection of both tangible and intangible cultural values
The project is grounded in collaboration that operates both internally within Aboriginal communities and externally with government agencies and stakeholders. This approach enables culturally safe, two way dialogue and supports equitable participation in the Bushfire Risk Management planning process. The research provides valuable insights into shared responsibilities—those held by government in emergency management, and those held by Aboriginal peoples to Country and Community through cultural fire practices.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge plays a critical role in bridging Aboriginal knowledge systems and western science. This knowledge exchange supports improved communication, shared understanding, and the identification of motivations, barriers, and opportunities to align Aboriginal aspirations with formal planning processes, particularly within NSW Regional Bushfire Risk Management Committees. These committees develop mitigation plans by recognising the capacity, roles, and resources of all partners to deliver coordinated action.
The project follows five key steps,
: partnering with community to co design actions.
: reconnecting people to Country through a kinship-based methodology.
: strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal Rangers to engage with western fire management frameworks.
: building relationships between Rangers and Government agencies.
and fostering greater cultural humility within government.
A key innovation of the project is Australia’s first Aboriginal Cultural Incident Management Exercise. This simulation brought Aboriginal Rangers into emergency control room environments, providing a culturally safe way to protect sensitive knowledge while demonstrating how cultural values can be integrated into real time fire response. The exercise-built confidence, capability, and lasting change across both agencies and communities.
The project is grounded in collaboration that operates both internally within Aboriginal communities and externally with government agencies and stakeholders. This approach enables culturally safe, two way dialogue and supports equitable participation in the Bushfire Risk Management planning process. The research provides valuable insights into shared responsibilities—those held by government in emergency management, and those held by Aboriginal peoples to Country and Community through cultural fire practices.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge plays a critical role in bridging Aboriginal knowledge systems and western science. This knowledge exchange supports improved communication, shared understanding, and the identification of motivations, barriers, and opportunities to align Aboriginal aspirations with formal planning processes, particularly within NSW Regional Bushfire Risk Management Committees. These committees develop mitigation plans by recognising the capacity, roles, and resources of all partners to deliver coordinated action.
The project follows five key steps,
: partnering with community to co design actions.
: reconnecting people to Country through a kinship-based methodology.
: strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal Rangers to engage with western fire management frameworks.
: building relationships between Rangers and Government agencies.
and fostering greater cultural humility within government.
A key innovation of the project is Australia’s first Aboriginal Cultural Incident Management Exercise. This simulation brought Aboriginal Rangers into emergency control room environments, providing a culturally safe way to protect sensitive knowledge while demonstrating how cultural values can be integrated into real time fire response. The exercise-built confidence, capability, and lasting change across both agencies and communities.
Biography
Graham Moore is a Gurrungutti-munji Djuwin man from the far south coast of NSW. He has dedicated his work to instilling Indigenous values within both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in New South Wales. His efforts have focused on educating others about understanding Country from a Cultural lens and care of species through Kinship, weaving connections between Western Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Graham’s current role is Senior Cultural Scientist, and he has contributed to changes such as “Weaving Traditional Ecological Knowledge into Threatened Species Conservation Assessments in NSW”.
- NSW & National Disaster Resilience Award
- Published paper in AJEM
