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AAP
AAP
Keira Jenkins

'Serious investment' needed for Indigenous rangers

Ranger Julian Nagomarra said important knowledge of Country has passed to him through generations. (HANDOUT/COUNTRY NEEDS PEOPLE)

The Karajarri Rangers in Western Australia's Kimberley region care for an area which spans 25,000 square kilometres. 

Ranger Julian Nagomarra said his old people have given him important knowledge of his Country, which has been passed on through generations. 

"Karajarri people have always lived in the desert and the Saltwater Country," he said.

"We have different seasons, we know what season is which for which animals.

"When everything is flowering in the desert, everything is getting healthy on the seaside."

Cable Beach in Broome
The Karajarri Rangers care for Country spanning 25,000 square kilometres from coast to desert. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

Traditional owners have a responsibility to look after Country, Yindjibarndi Nation chief executive Michael Woodley said. 

The Pilbara-based organisation is a partner of non-profit Country Needs People, which supports Aboriginal rangers. 

"Aboriginal rangers' work is imperative and needs a serious investment from government," he said.

"It's important that we all work to strengthen the work of rangers and traditional owners in caring for Country across Western Australia."

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook recently promised a $20 million investment in the state's ranger program if his government is re-elected in March. 

Mr Woodley welcomed the commitment, saying he was keen to work with whichever party was elected to strengthen the work of rangers. 

A mountain range about 400 kilometres east of Broome
Aboriginal rangers' important work needs serious government investment, a community leader says. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

Western Australia's ranger program has been running for seven years and Country Needs People chief executive Patrick O'Leary said it needs permanent support. 

"It's now really important for every other party and candidate in the upcoming election to clearly state their position on supporting the work of WA's Aboriginal rangers", he said. 

"We'd like to see the funding for this work become permanent and support more secure ranger jobs into the future because the need for this work is not going away, it's only getting more urgent."

The need for the work he does is not lost on Julian Nagomarra, who is seeing first hand the impacts of climate change on his Country. 

"A lot of crocodiles are moving down south from the north," he said.

"The old people wanted us to start the sea rangers up. (We) look after Country for them and us and our future. 

"We need this place, we still live off the land so that's why Country needs people and people need Country."

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