Ropa Woda Governance Council Declaration

We are the Mudburra, Yangman, Jawoyn, Manggarayi, Bin Bin.ga, Alawa, Ngalakgan, Ngandi, Ritthangu-Wagilak, Rembarranga, Marra, Warndarrang, and Nunggubuyu people.

We are the united traditional First Nations people from the Roper River, the rightful custodians of these waters. Today we have come together to form the Ropa Woda Governance Council: Living Spirit, Living Water.

We speak here as one voice, one people, in unity. Melabat olot kinektit burrum dislot warra. All our songlines follow the water. If you take our water you kill our culture, our identity and our deep traditional spirituality.

Our Traditional scientific and cultural knowledge of fresh and salt water country came long before colonisation and should be prioritised.

In line with the UN Declaration Rights of Indigenous People and our unceded sovereignty our water rights must be recognised and respected.

We call for:

  • A ban on all future water extraction licenses and surface water harvesting in the Roper catchment. Including the groundwater and floodplains.
  • Evidence that environmental and Indigenous cultural values are protected and made into law.
  • The inclusion of the Ropa Woda Governance Council in all water decision-making from now on.
An elderly person with gray hair is pointing at a large, colorful map on a wall, discussing or examining it. The map includes waterways, mountains, and various geographical features, with labels and detailed illustrations.