All women ranger team ready to protect country

An all-women ranger team has been officially welcomed by the Gunnedah Local Aboriginal Land Council to protect local flora, fauna, and Country.

Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council in NSW has welcomed the Galuma-li Dhawun Rangers, made up of five rangers, a senior ranger, and rangers coordinator.

Ranger Lahni Natty told the Gunnedah Times that joining an all women’s ranger group was also part of the inspiration to wanting to be a part of the Galuma-li Dhawun Rangers.

“What stuck out to me was the fact that it was an all-women’s team,” Ms Netty said.

NIAA funding

“That was what won me over, I wanted to work in a full women’s team and be managed by a woman and have a senior women’s ranger. We’re very privileged to be a part of the only female rangers team.

“We service the Gunnedah area as far as Breeza and we’ll be doing majority of cultural sites in and around town.”

Funding was gained through the National Indigenous Australians Agency for the Indigenous Rangers Program.

There are about 130 indigenous ranger groups across Australia.

Empowering First Nations

The Indigenous Rangers Program (IRP) is a significant initiative by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) aimed at empowering First Nations peoples to manage and protect Australia’s natural and cultural heritage.

The program supports the employment of Indigenous rangers through traditional knowledge and cultural practices, combined with Western science.