Animal management program helping to Close the Gap

Participants at the recent Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) conference in Armidale, New South Wales, discovered that while remote practices are very different from those in the city, animal management is vital in communities across the country.

Indigenous Animal Management Workers (AMW) Tony Gunanganguwuy, Lawrence Banburrawuy and Valphon Fry travelled from Milingimbi and Ramingining, two small remote Aboriginal communities in East Arnhem Land, to attend the event.

Funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Territory Aboriginal Benefits Account, the program is designed to create more jobs for Indigenous people in their own communities.

Animal Management Workers program managers Eddie Bobongie and Dr John Skuja joined Tony, Lawrence and Valphon on their travels to the conference. On their way they visited the Gold Coast City Council animal management facilities, where they discovered some very different practices to those used back home.

“In Arnhem Land there is an ancient relationship between dogs and people that continues into this day, with little differentiation between Dingo Dreaming and Dog Dreaming,” AMW program manager Dr John Skuja said.

“The living songlines of Dog Dreaming ancestors still cross the landscape and direct descendants still carry the dog totem and law.

“The contemporary animal management situation on these communities requires some adaptation from both sides and the Animal Management Workers and AMRRIC style Shire vet programs operate there with the support of the local holders of that traditional dog law.”

The Animal Management Workers recognised that just like in their home communities, there is a strong relationship between the people of the Gold Coast City Council area and their dogs. But the rules are certainly different.

Coming from a place where there are no local by-laws pertaining to dogs, John said it was amusing visiting a lead-free dog exercise area. Dogs in Milingimbi and Ramingining are unregistered and unrestrained, with no fences around homes or dog leads in use.

“I asked the AMWs what they remembered most from the trip and they all agreed that it was definitely people following their dogs around and picking up the poo, as required by law!

“The AMW project has created jobs for remote communities. It helps engender a greater sense of ownership, responsibility and awareness amongst dog owners which makes communities safer,” John said.

“Through the education strategies used, there is an increased flow of important information about zoonotic diseases and how to minimise their threat.

“All of this goes way beyond looking after dogs and forms part of the change in community attitudes and overall human and canine health that is needed to help Close the Gap.”