Episode 1
In this episode of Water Voice, we speak with Dr. Emma Lee, a trawlwoolway woman from tebrakunna Country in north-east Tasmania, and a nationally recognised Indigenous leader, academic, and policy adviser. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2025 for her service to Tasmania’s Aboriginal community and is the first Indigenous woman globally to receive a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation. A finalist for Tasmania’s Australian of the Year in 2022, Dr Lee has played a pivotal role in shaping cultural governance frameworks, editing international IUCN conservation guidelines, and advising government, United Nations bodies, and NGOs on Indigenous rights, protected areas, and marine stewardship.
We explore the legacy of colonization in shaping water rights and governance how Indigenous cultural governance offers important guidance for water professionals and why listening to Traditional Custodians matters in science and policy. This is Part One of a two-part conversation.
Episode 2
In Part Two of our conversation with Dr. Emma Lee, we continue exploring the intersections of colonization, water rights, and cultural governance. This episode focuses on how these ideas translate into practice — especially for scientists, researchers, and policy makers working with water. Dr. Lee shares reflections on cultural authority, ethical research, and how Indigenous leadership can guide more inclusive and respectful approaches to water management.
Episode 3
In this episode of Water Voice, we speak with Dr. Virginia Marshall, a Wiradjuri Nyemba woman and a leading legal scholar, author, and advocate for Indigenous water rights in Australia. She is the author of the influential book Overturning Aqua Nullius, which reframed the national conversation on Aboriginal water law and governance. The first Aboriginal woman to earn a PhD in law from Macquarie University, her thesis was awarded the prestigious Stanner Award. Dr Marshall is a Research Fellow at the Australian National University’s School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) and serves on key national bodies including the Climate Change Authority and the Economic Accelerator Advisory Board. Her work bridges academia, policy, and community, advancing climate justice, Indigenous governance, and legal reform.
We talk about how colonization has shaped Australia’s water laws and the ongoing efforts for Indigenous water rights. We also explore the role of First Laws and cultural knowledge in rethinking water governance, and why recognising Indigenous sovereignty is essential for a just and sustainable water future.
Episode 4
In this episode of Water Voice, we speak with Mr. Joe Morrison, a Dagoman man from Katherine with Torres Strait Islander heritage, and a nationally respected leader in Indigenous land and water governance. Joe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) and has previously led key institutions including NAILSMA and the Northern Land Council. His career has been dedicated to advancing the rights of First Nations people to care for Country, build new economies, and shape more equitable policies for land and water stewardship.
We talk about the challenges and opportunities of Indigenous water sovereignty, from the reality that First Nations people hold less than 1% of water allocations, to the cultural, climatic, and spiritual connections that underpin Caring for Country.
This conversation highlights why Indigenous leadership and shared governance are essential to rethinking water futures in Australia, and how new economies can respect cultural values while creating opportunities for First Nations communities.
Episode 5
In this episode of Water Voice, we speak with Ms. Michelle Deshong, a Kuku Yalanji woman from North Queensland and a nationally recognised leader in Indigenous governance, leadership, and political engagement. Michelle has held senior roles across government, community, and academic settings, and her work spans both national and international platforms. She has been a driving force in amplifying the voices of Indigenous women, including through her contributions to the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) project and her comparative work on governance models in countries such as the United States and Canada.
We explore how women’s leadership and cultural authority shape water decision-making, and the ways Indigenous frameworks of self-determination and cultural governance can transform Australia’s water future. Michelle shares insights on grassroots initiatives that are making change in communities, the importance of Indigenous voices in national water policy, and what Australia can learn from international experiences.
This conversation emphasises how women, culture, and collective leadership can guide more just and sustainable approaches to water, ensuring that cultural values are central to future water management in Australia.