In an era of climate change, the need to manage our water resources effectively for future generations has become an increasingly significant challenge. Indigenous management practices have been successfully used to manage inland water systems around the world for thousands of years, and Indigenous people have been calling for a greater role in the management of water resources. As First Peoples and as holders of important knowledge of sustainable water management practices, they regard themselves as custodians and rights holders, deserving of a meaningful role in decision-making. This book argues that a key (albeit not the only) means of ensuring appropriate participation in decision-making about water management is for such participation to be legislatively mandated. To this end, the book draws on case studies in Australia and New Zealand in order to elaborate the legislative tools necessary to ensure Indigenous participation, consultation and representation in the water management landscape.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council has progressed broad community consideration of the practical application of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC), its failures and successes. Through this process, Council has been forced to reassess the commitment of both the community and the government to self-determination.The time has come for Traditional Owners to do more than play a part, they must realise their rights to control their Cultural Heritage through the law that governs the protection and management of that Cultural Heritage. Council has made 24 recommendations to the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs for fundamentally necessary reforms of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC). It is essential that, as a society, we truly understand that Traditional Owners are the only comprehensive knowledge holders of their Cultural Heritage. Once we understand that one, fundamental truth, then the changes we now recommend for their management of that Cultural Heritage are clear and purposeful. Such understandings are in step with the international benchmark set by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If these reforms are affected, the positive change for protection, management and lived engagement with Cultural Heritage will be profound.