First Nations Engagement Group

We established a First Nations Engagement Group in 2025 in recognition of the central role of First Nations peoples as custodians of Country and holders of deep ecological, cultural and community knowledge.

It’s the Group’s role to provide us with culturally informed, place-based advice, helping ensure our activities, research and investment decisions are respectful, inclusive and aligned with First Nations priorities. Its guidance strengthens genuine partnership, shared decision‑making and long‑term benefit for First Nations peoples.

The First Nations Engagement Group formally provides advice on:

• Cultural, economic and social resilience of Aboriginal people in the face of climate change and drought
• Specific vulnerabilities and needs of Aboriginal communities during climate change, particularly drought
• Opportunities for new Hub activities and the rollout of existing projects
• Inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge in scientific research and decision‑making related to drought and climate resilience
• The role and function of First Nations Engagement Officers
• Review and recommendations on the Hub’s Framework for working with First Nations communities, for consideration by the Hub Board

The Group also supports strong collaborative links with the community, industry, government agencies and research institutes. Its insights help co‑design our activities within the First Nations Community Resilience impact area.