Evaluation of Pupangarli Marnmarnepu
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA)
Who funded the project
The Pupangarli Marnmarnepu: Owning Our Future – Aboriginal Self-Determination Reform Strategy 2020–2025 represents a bold step by DEECA toward embedding Aboriginal self-determination as a foundation for public administration. The Strategy builds on a history of strong partnership with Traditional Owners and seeks to transform the way DEECA works with, and for, First Peoples. Developed through engagement with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, the Strategy responds to two key calls: for the government to remove barriers to self-determination, and to work in genuine partnership by transferring power and increasing accountability to Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities.
Karabena Consulting, in collaboration with Karen Milward Consulting Services, was commissioned by DEECA to assess how well Pupangarli Marnmarnepu has been implemented, what has worked, what has not, and what further actions DEECA can take to advance self-determination in line with the aspirations of First Peoples communities in Victoria.
A mixed methods approach that involved analysing both quantitative and qualitative data was adopted based on eleven Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs).
An evaluation report with recommendations was provided to DEECA for consideration as per the consultant brief.
Summary
The evaluation aimed to gain insights into:
how well Pupangarli Marnmarnepu has been implemented
what has worked and what has not
what further actions DEECA can take to advance self-determination in line with the aspirations of First Peoples communities in Victoria.
Project Aims
To achieve the project’s aims, Karabena adopted a mixed methods approach, analysing both quantitative and qualitative data.
Key elements of our methodology included:
Comprehensive review of over 200 departmental documents
Based on purposive sampling, consultations with Traditional Owners from formally recognised and non-formally recognised Groups, First Nations staff, regional staff, and DEECA leadership
A participatory sense-making workshop with the TOC Caucus to validate findings
Ethical oversight aligned with Indigenous Data Sovereignty and AIATSIS frameworks
The work was guided by eleven Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs) structured across, Implementation Overview, the Strategy’s four domains: People, Systems, Country, Accountability, and Recommendations/Opportunities for Future Strategy.
Methodologies
Outputs
The key output from this project was a comprehensive evaluation report provided to DEECA.
The findings and recommendations from our report are under review by DEECA. It is anticipated that this will inform:
the development of DEECA’s next self-determination strategy and are intended to benefit Victorian Traditional Owner Groups, First Peoples communities, and DEECA.
Project Outcomes
#self-determination
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#DEECA
# FirstPeoples
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