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Songman Circle of Wisdom Indigenous Plant Certification Protocol |
| Category: | Event | |
| Date: | 1 January 2004 | |
| Place: | |
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| State/Country: | Western Australia, Australia |
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| Alternative Names: | SCW Indigenous Plant Protocol
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| Subject Matter: | | Economic Development |
| Summary Information: | |
| The Songman Circle of Wisdom Indigenous Plant Certification Protocol was developed by members of Australia's Indigenous community and has been implemented for the first time in a partnership venture between cosmetics producer Aveda and Australian sandalwood distributor Mount Romance as part of a commitment to building sustainable business partnerships. Mount Romance and Aveda have each donated (US) $50,000 to the launch of the project. The protocol establishes sourcing standards for sandalwood in Australia and provides a model for international Indigenous leaders to practise sustainable business across their own communities. It is the first protocol of its type in the world. |
| Detailed Information: | |
Under the protocol, Aveda now sources its sandalwood in the Western Australian desert, led by Aboriginal wood harvesters from the camp at Kutkububba. Aveda pays a premium on top of the state controlled price which goes to the community. However, only a fifth of West Australian sandalwood harvesting is done by Indigenous communities. The money contributed by Aveda and Mount Romance, will therefore form part of a working capital fund to assist Aboriginal communities to bid more effectively for the limited sandalwood licenses (the collection of sandalwood is conducted via a strict government licensing system).
It is envisaged that the protocol will facilitate the development of other relationships between Indigenous people and multinational corporations like Aveda. | |
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