Cultural Mapping

Biocultural Consulting (BioC) can develop visual schematic maps of cultural structures and associated lines of proper decision-making, providing partnerships with greater clarity around key issues confronting collaborative partnerships.

Cultural Mapping services support development of strategic governance functions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners. Of critical concern to Indigenous peoples is that their key cultural decision-makers are recognised and are particpating in advancing and protecting their rights and interests.

Using cultural mapping - native title payment strategies collaboratively designed by Aboriginal parties and development companies become highly visible - and ensure transparency toward agreed benefit of whole-of-group entitlements.  

• Identify Aboriginal parties and crucial governance (traditional laws and customs) structures supporting negotiation and payments
• Develop time critical strategies for engaging, consulting and negotiatiating with relevant cultural structures
• Define traditional and contemporary institutions supporting and servicing traditional owner groups and their communities
• Understand Aboriginal parties from a primary substantive rights perspective

Engaging with Indigenous peoples is a collaborative partnership. A lack of understanding cultural structures, protocols and processes is a primary reason for failing to establish sustainable and shared management of obligations.

Record management strategies when engaging proper Indigenous governance structures and processes, demonstrats that both developers and traditional owners' objectives and outcomes are important and being met.