Law Way® - Water, Knowledge, and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights

Law Way® Sessions:

Law Way® Sessions is a series of conversations curated and hosted by Dr. Terri Janke. Dive into the latest insights from speakers with in-depth knowledge and expertise. Our sessions are designed to empower participants with the knowledge to make informed decision, tackle real-world challenges and address pressing issues with confidence. Elevate your legal knowledge with us.

Water, Knowledge, and ICIP

Water is essential for life, livelihoods, spirit, and culture. For First Nations people, water holds profound cultural, spiritual, and practical importance, connecting deeply with identity, culture, and Country. These connections are often accessed by researchers and government entities. In this session, we will explore the rights of First Nations people to water, examining ICIP rights and Indigenous Data, and how these rights can safeguard connections to water, supporting the inclusion of First Nations voices in decisions impacting their heritage. Please note this workshop will focus on freshwater.

Who Should Attend

• Government organisations
• Universities and research organisations
• Private sector
• Philanthropic sector
• Charities and not-for-profits
• Aboriginal community health organisations
• Organisations and businesses working with Indigenous communities
• Professionals who are interested in learning more about water in western legal frameworks.

Your Law Way® Sessions presenters will be:

Dr Terri Janke is a Wuthathi/Yadhaighana and Meriam woman and an international authority on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), known for innovating pathways between the non-Indigenous business sector and Indigenous people in business. Terri advises on legal matters including intellectual property, business law, and governance of Indigenous organisations. She has written leading ICIP Protocols and models for various sectors including the arts, museums, archives, film and business. Terri is the author of True Tracks: Respecting Indigenous Knowledge and Culture. She has attended diplomatic missions and conferences related to the WIPO agreement on a legal instrument relating to Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledges associated with Genetic Resources.

Emma Fitch is a non-Indigenous lawyer at Terri Janke and Company. Her areas of specialty include water, legal policy, legislative development, and governance with federal, state and local governments and not-for-profits. Emma has also worked with law enforcement, family violence and the community sector. Emma is passionate about supporting First Nations people and organisations to achieve their goals, around land, sea and freshwater Country, and in all walks of life.

For more information email tjc@terrijanke.com.au or call +61 2 9693 2577

Photo Credit: Jamie James