RIO TINTO ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR PILBARA RANGER PROGRAMS

On Monday, Rio Tinto announced $5.6 million in funding for the Pilbara Cultural Land Management Project to support Traditional Owner Ranger Programs across the region.

The funding will be used to support data collection and sharing, land and heritage management, and training in using drones to monitor country.

Rangers from across the Pilbara gathered at Murujuga for the announcement.

Nyiparli woman Carol-Anne Tucker became a ranger two months ago and said it’s been “a really good experience.”

“We can take control of looking after our country and make a start for the next generation,” she said.

“We’ve been learning how to do the drones, fly the drones over the country. it’s so much easier, but it’s a learning process.”

It’s good to have Rio on board, helping out and supporting us.”

Rio Tinto Vice President Cecile Thaxter said she felt “privileged and proud” to work with the different groups from across the Pilbara.

“It means quite a bit to be part of this, because I do think that it’s paving the way for the Pilbara in the future and the environment at large,” she said.

“With this sort of program, we know that biodiversity and cultural values will be best managed, because they’re being managed by the people who the most intimate and deepest knowledge, so that’s quite exciting.”

Ngaarda Media spoke to rangers from Robe River Guruma, Nyiparli, Yinhawangka and Murujuga ranger groups: