Learning Together for and with the Martuwarra Fitzroy River
Authors: Hill Rosemary , Harkness Pia , Raisbeck-Brown Nat , Lyons Ilisapeci , Álvarez-Romero Jorge G. , Kim Milena Kiatkoski , Chungalla Dennis , Wungundin Heather , Aiken Mary , Malay Jean , Williams Bernadette , Buissereth Rachel , Cranbell Tim , Forrest Josephine , Hand Marmingee , James Ross , Jingle Elizabeth , Knight Olive , Lennard Nathan , Lennard Valerie , Malay Ileen , Malay Lindsay , Midmee Wallace , Morton Stuart , Nulgit Chloe , Riley Patricia , Shadforth Ina , Bieundurry Jane , Brooking George , Brooking Sherika , Brumby Willy , Bulmer Victor , Cherel Virgil , Clifton Ashley , Cox Sam , Dawson Matt , Gore-Birch Cissy , Hill John , Hobbs Alistair , Hobbs Duran , Juboy Camelia , Juboy Patricia , Kogolo Annette , Laborde Sarah , Lennard Barry , Lennard Con , Lennard Deon , Malay Nelita , Malay Zenneth , Marshall David , Marshall Herbert , Millindee Lezeka , Mowaljarlai Diane , Myers Andrea , Nnarda Thomas , Nuggett Joy , Nulgit Lloyd , Nulgit Pansy , Poelina Anne , Poudrill Daniel , Ross Joe , Shandley Jimmy , Skander Roly , Skeen Sandy , Smith Gordon , Street Mervyn , Thomas Pauline , Wongawol Bronson , Yungabun Harry , Sunfly Arosha , Cook Cyntala , Shaw Kaunell , Collard Taliesha , Collard Yvonne 
Published: July 2021

Co-production across scientific and Indigenous knowledge systems has become a cornerstone of research to enhance knowledge, practice, ethics, and foster sustainability transformations. However, the profound differences in world views and the complex and contested histories of nation-state colonisation on Indigenous territories, highlight both opportunities and risks for Indigenous people when engaging with knowledge co-production. This paper investigates the conditions under which knowledge co-production can lead to improved Indigenous adaptive environmental planning and management among remote land-attached Indigenous peoples through a case study with ten Traditional Owner groups in the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) Catchment in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. The research team built a 3D map of the river and used it, together with an interactive table-top projector, to bring together both scientific and Indigenous spatial knowledge. Participatory influence mapping, aligned with Traditional Owner priorities to achieve cultural governance and management planning goals set out in the Fitzroy River Declaration, investigated power relations. An analytical framework, examining underlying mechanisms of social learning, knowledge promotion and enhancing influence, based on different theories of change, was applied to unpack the immediate outcomes from these activities. The analysis identified that knowledge co-production activities improved the accessibility of the knowledge, the experiences of the knowledge users, strengthened collective identity and partnerships, and strengthened Indigenous-led institutions. The focus on cultural governance and management planning goals in the Fitzroy River Declaration enabled the activities to directly affect key drivers of Indigenous adaptive environmental planning and management—the Indigenous-led institutions. The nation-state arrangements also gave some support to local learning and decision-making through a key Indigenous institution, Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Knowledge co-production with remote land-attached Indigenous peoples can improve adaptive environmental planning and management where it fosters learning together, is grounded in the Indigenous-led institutions and addresses their priorities.