The Society for Marine Mammalogy
Boorloo (Perth) (Whadjuk Noongar) Statement

We as a community of Cultural and Western marine scientists, recognize the wisdom, kinship and authority vested in Sea Country by Indigenous Peoples. We must work in genuine collaboration, using our collective knowledges to create and deliver solutions to the challenges of our time. Our future depends on the respect and recognition of the inherent rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples. It is essential that the primacy of cultural science is acknowledged and supported and that our knowledges meet on a current of equity.

The Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) is the peak body for marine mammal science globally. The SMM and its members must recognise and respect the length, depth and breadth of generations on generations of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. The SMM and its members are accountable to First Peoples, their cultural protocols, Elders and future generations. Forging long-lasting relationships to build an inclusive research community to realize this vision is essential.

Together we need to ensure our environments and land, sea and sky kin are strong with us on this journey. Only moving together in trust and genuine partnership can we achieve this into the future.

Call to Action

To SMM:

• Establish an international Indigenous arm of the society, that prioritises representation from Indigenous Peoples around the world.
• Recognise and respect Cultural/First Nations Science and our voice that includes our rights to sovereignty.
• Ensure SMM progresses and evolves so the primacy and equity of Cultural/First Nations Science in this space is constant.
• Facilitate awareness, respect and best practice of researchers to cultural protocols with Indigenous People and in science.
• SMM will promote and provide our voice in best practice through the establishment of an Indigenous arm of the society and holding membership to account in how these members engage with Indigenous community.

To members and partners:

• Understand our inherent roles, responsibilities and stewardship to our culture, the environment, biodiversity and our land, sea and sky kin.
• Embrace and prioritise Cultural Science and knowledge systems of First Nations, the first scientists across the globe.
• Hold each other accountable and ensure that research embodies reciprocal tangible benefits for Indigenous communities.
• Be personally responsible for your research to reflect these values.
• Be Brave: stand up for what you believe in or know to be true – if someone is speaking untruths about Indigenous matters, have the courage to speak up and stand up.

Do the work: non-Indigenous researchers hold the responsibility to learn how to do their research in an anti-colonial and culturally respectful way, especially in respect to their specific geographical context. This means putting time and effort into studying appropriate guidelines, etc., rather than asking/expecting/demanding time from Indigenous People to teach and explain things to them.