EOIs: Two-Eyed Seeing project NSW

The NSW DPI Fisheries department are excited to launch their “Two-Eyed Seeing” project, aimed at collaborating with NSW Aboriginal communities to co-design research to support culturally appropriate management of freshwater fisheries. This initiative seeks to empower communities to influence the sustainable management of native fish based on their cultural knowledge. At the core of this project are the principles of reciprocity, empowerment, and integrity.

What is Two-Eyed Seeing?

"Two-Eyed Seeing: learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of Western knowledges and ways of knowing ... and learning to use both these eyes together, for the benefit of all.”

(“Etuaptnumk” - Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall in Fall 2004).

Flowing waterway with native trees and grasses. Source: Mick Bettanin

The project is just starting, and DPI are looking for Expressions of Interest from NSW Aboriginal Communities to participate. The focus of the first year of the project will be on identifying, selecting, and developing relationships with communities in two regions which:

Have an active and culturally significant freshwater fishery.
Are willing to actively participate and collaborate in a project that will involve knowledge sharing.
Can establish a group to participate in the project that has appropriate representation from the community.
Involvement in the project will be renumerated, to recognise Aboriginal communities’ knowledge and time invested.

Learn more about the project here:

DPI are committed to listening, learning, and supporting Aboriginal communities in building skills, and capabilities to actively participate in native fish management. They are devoted to safeguarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights and adhere to the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Involvement in the project will be renumerated with methods and rates to be negotiated at standard rates to recognise Aboriginal communities’ knowledge and time invested.

DPI are hoping to have communities on board by the end of July 2024, and then spend August – December 2024 working together to design the community-led research strategy. If successful, this project will then continue with the strategy being implemented in 2025.

Expressions of interest are due by the 28th of July.

To get involved:

email twoeyedseeing@alluvium.com.au
or visit the DPI website here.‍