<div>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold a wealth of traditional knowledge about their land and waters gathered and passed down from observations over thousands of years. Geoscience Australia (GA) is the national geoscience public sector organisation that advises on the geology, hydrogeology, and geography of Australia by applying science and technology to describe and understand the Earth. Respectful and successful two-way engagement with Indigenous peoples provides an opportunity to identify and share traditional understanding, complementing geoscientific studies and preserving traditional knowledge Through its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, GA is committed to building mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aligned with this vision, and as part of the Exploring for the Future Program, GA engaged a subject matter expert to undertake a scoping study. The aim of this study was to provide advice to strengthen the internal processes it uses to engage and undertake projects with Indigenous peoples. Drawing on two case studies (northeast NSW; eastern WA), a framework was developed to guide GA staff in the collection and recording of information and knowledge in a culturally appropriate manner. The project also delivered a road map to achieve better engagement and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in geoscience studies, to be tested and refined in future work programs. The road map is built on six key elements: (1) increasing Indigenous employment; (2) building partnerships; (3) respecting timeframes; (4) embedding Indigenous values and culture; (5) adhering to ethical practices and principles; and (6) embracing two-way knowledge sharing. Trust is crucial to building a partnership with Indigenous communities, binding the six elements of the road map. In the future GA hopes to share the outcomes with other organisations, from applying the framework and road map aimed at improving engagement with Indigenous peoples in groundwater activities and the geosciences more broadly. Presented at the 2022 Australasian Groundwater Conference (AGC)

<div><strong>Output Type: </strong>Exploring for the Future Extended Abstract</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Short Abstract: </strong>The last three decades have seen growing investment in land management by First Nations Australians across the continent, arising from increases in formally recognised rights and interests of First Nations Australian peoples in land and waters and the demonstrated environmental, economic and social benefits of their natural resource management. The Exploring for the Future program worked with three types of organisations—a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC), a First Nations ranger program and a land council—to learn how geoscience knowledge and data can support First Nations Australians in managing Country. The Nguddaboolgan Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, the Lake Eyre Basin Rangers and the Anindilyakwa Land Council all shared their perspectives and priorities in managing Country. Soil geoscience, groundwater and Earth observation from satellites emerged as three themes under which geoscience data and knowledge could be shared in new ways for environmental, economic and community benefits. New partnerships with First Nations groups were established which developed clear pathways for geoscience data and information to address First Nations peoples’ priorities in caring for Country.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Citation: </strong>Orr, M.L., Burns, C.P., Halliday, L., Lafferty, J., Rees, S. &amp; Chau, D., 2024. Building partnerships and sharing geoscience knowledge with First Nations Australians for managing Country In: Czarnota, K. (ed.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, https://doi.org/10.26186/149721</div>