Women Rangers Indigenous Program

Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT)

The Peter Newman Foundation is providing funding to KKT to support their partner organisations to establish and grow their women’s ranger programs. These programs not only provide unique employment and leadership opportunities in remote communities, but also ensure the intergenerational transfer of knowledge amongst women so that Country can be cared for in the most comprehensive way.  

The Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT) is a philanthropic trust that was established in 2010 by Traditional Owners of the Warddeken and Djelk Indigenous Protected Areas, to support their vision for healthy Country. As custodians of much of West and Central Arnhem Land—one of the largest Indigenous estates in Australia—they innovatively recognised the potential strength and increased freedom and flexibility of alternative funding sources.

Evidence shows that Indigenous ranger jobs in remote Australia significantly improve health and wellbeing, increase pride and sense of self, and provide unique training and upskilling opportunities. Dedicated women’s ranger programs allow First Nations women to work alongside men, while ensuring that their role is flexible and culturally appropriate. First Nations women often have exclusive access to certain places and hold very specific ecological knowledge. Strong and engaged women rangers apply this knowledge to land management and ensure it is passed down.