Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT)

The Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (“gada-gut guny-jee”) brings together First Nations ranger groups, communities and philanthropists to address some of our nation’s most pressing issues. These includes regenerating our natural environment, taking action on climate change, creating meaningful and equal employment opportunities, and supporting the continuation of the world’s oldest living culture.
KKT was established by the Traditional Owners of the Warddeken and Djelk Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in 2010, to support their vision for healthy Country. They named us after Arnhem Land’s stone country highlands or karrkad (gada gut) and savanna lowlands or kanjdji (guny-jee) that we work together to protect. We now partner with over one third of Arnhem Land’s ranger groups. These First Nations rangers care for around 65,000 square kilometres of land and sea Country in Arnhem Land, one of the most culturally rich and biodiverse regions of Australia.

Our role is to listen to the needs and visions of First Nations communities for how they want to manage their natural and cultural heritage, and support them to realise this on their own terms. This has naturally led to a simple yet highly effective model for philanthropy founded on a First Nations approach to conservation where each part strengthens the whole. These six parts are: 1) Protecting native biodiversity, 2) Investing in women
rangers, 3) Safeguarding Indigenous culture, 4) Managing fire and climate, 5) Educating future custodians, and 6) Supporting people on Country.

Every project is 100 per cent community-owned, from concept to long term impact.

KKT partners with seven First Nations organisations across the karrkad (stone country highlands) and kanjdji (savanna lowlands) of Central and West Arnhem Land. These partners include four First Nations land management/ranger groups: Warddeken Land Management Limited, Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation (ASRAC) and Bawinanga Rangers. They also
include Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (ALFA), a First Nations-owned carbon abatement organisation, and the Nawarddeken Academy—a collective of bi-cultural independent schools owned and steered by senior Nawarddeken (Traditional Owners of Warddeken). Our newest partnership is with Homeland School Company and is outlined throughout this proposal and attached document.

The Homeland School Company (HSC) is an Indigenous-led organisation established in 2023 following a year-long consultation process.
HSC is a company limited by guarantee, overseen by a board of Directors representing the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area. The company’sobjectives include improving well-being through:
Advancing education;
Developing pathways for young Indigenous people;
Supporting the intergenerational transfer of Indigenous knowledge; and
Contributing to the conservation of landscapes through the maintenance of Indigenous cultural and ecological knowledge

WEBSITE