A Land Rights News article.
The Utopia rangers have taken two interns under their wing, showing them firsthand how they look after country.
Bree Bannister and Amit Rotenberg are part of an Indigenous Desert Alliance program that places future land managers with ranger groups for hands-on experience.
For two weeks, Ms Bannister, from Broome, and Ms Rotenberg, from Melbourne, worked with the rangers around Arlparra, northeast of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). They learned not just fire skills but about the cultural heart of the job.
The rangers liked having the interns along.
"They like to go around with us, see the country, learn about bush medicine and fire," ranger Paul Club said.
"We've been showing them waterholes, sacred sites, bush plums- all the things we look after."
The rangers showed the interns different burning techniques.
"There was a beautiful moment where [traditional owner] Sam started lighting matches and then a couple of rangers followed him. Then Helen [Kunoth] brought me over and showed me her technique of getting a big stick, lighting that on fire, winking at me," Ms Bannister said.
"It's been incredible, the rangers have been so welcoming, so funny and so generous in sharing their knowledge. I've loved every second of it."
The four-week program began with a week-long intensive induction process at the IDA Desert Hub in Perth, where the eight interns met staff and were prepared for the field-based elements of the program, including the cultural and ecological aspects of Indigenous land management.
The IDA then placed interns with member ranger groups across the desert for two weeks of on-country experience, before a final week of reflection and debriefing in Perth.
The program is about matching the right people with the right land management jobs when there are no local Aboriginal applicants.
"The internship was created in response to IDA members and desert ranger teams who wanted better support for bringing new people into the sector right way," the IDA's sector development manager, Zack Wundke said.
"This way, they can get hands-on experience, decide if it's right for them, and, if it is, start building the relationships and skills they'll need to succeed."
Ms Bannister, a trained nurse from Broome, wanted to test whether she was ready for a career change.
"When this internship popped up, I thought what a great opportunity to give it a go and see if I'm good for it. The biggest lesson has been to step back, watch, listen and observe. Being able to do that trumps all your qualifications."
Ms Rotenberg, from Melbourne, has a master's degree in environmental management and would like to work with Indigenous knowledge.
"I've learned that ranger work isn't just about burning or weed control, it's about being on country, telling stories and passing on knowledge. The women here have been so generous with me, showing me bush medicine plants and telling me whose country we're on. I didn't expect them to be so open, so quickly."
On one school trip, the women taught children plant names in Alyawarre while the men lit fires in the background.
"It was beautiful," Ms Rotenberg said. "The kids were excited, and the ladies just looked in their element. Everyone was so into it and looked glowing and happy to be out of the classroom. It was really nice to watch."
Utopia's ranger facilitator, Paul Evans, compared the program with an apprenticeship. "It's a deep, hands-on introduction. New coordinators and facilitators need time to build trust and respect with countrymen and women, that's the foundation. Without it, people can come and go quickly, which can leave a long-term impact on the community."
The program is part of building the steady leadership that helps rangers to take on more senior positions. "When facilitators stay for the long haul, they form strong relationships with rangers, share valuable skills, and help build the confidence needed for rangers to step up and take on those roles themselves," says the Central Land Council's Boyd Elston, who also chairs the Indigenous Desert Alliance.
