Spotlight Conversations: Keeping Country Strong

Overview

Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) span more than 110 million hectares of Australia's land and seas, making up over 54% of Australia's terrestrial reserves. Led by First Nations groups and combining modern science with traditional and local knowledge, IPAs are providing jobs on Country and managing biodiversity and cultural values on land and sea in a changing climate.

Join this special NAIDOC week event to find out how IPAs are transforming Indigenous communities and contributing to the global fight against environmental degradation, species loss and climate change.

The event features a screening of Keeping Country Strong, a new documentary highlighting the critical work of Indigenous Rangers in IPAs across Australia. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Traditional Owners with experience at IPA creation and management.

Keeping Country Strong documents the work of Indigenous Rangers who are protecting nature and culture for all Australians from South East Arnhem Land IPA to World Heritage listed Budj Bim IPA in South West Victoria. The documentary, by Country Needs People, premiered in 2024 at Beyond Borders, an international documentary film festival held in Greece. This will be the first public screening in Australia.