SEQ Catchments recognises and values that Traditional Owners and Indigenous people have a unique understanding of the ecosystem services provided by the land and seascapes of their region. SEQ Catchments believes that this understanding can add value to natural resource management (NRM) planning and project implementation.

Various pressures now face Tradional Owners and Indigneous people within the NRM sector. This include a loss of traditional knowledge as Elders pass away, pressure on community leaders for invovlement in a wide variety of programs and activities and the on going slow decline of natural assets and culturally signficant sites. With a dedicated Traditional Owner and Engagement Support Officer, SEQ Catchments works alongside Indigenous and non Indigenous partners to address some of these threats.

SEQ Catchments is currently working with the State and Federal government and Traditional Owner partners to facilitate the development of a Traditional Owner NRM network. This will ensure that Traditional Owners have a voice in the NRM planning and policy for the region. This role was previously led by the South East Queensland Traditional Owners Alliance (SEQTOA) before it dissolved.Traditional Owners have two positions on the SEQCMA, ensuring that they also have a voice in the strategic direction of SEQ Catchments as an organisation. 

SEQ Catchments also makes significant efforts to ensure Indigneous and Traditional Owner involvement in on ground components of our work wherever possible. Examples include the Indigenous ranger involvement in the rehabilitation of Spitfire creek after the Moreton Oil Spill and Indigenous work team training and employment in woody weed removal through the Healthy Country project. SEQ Catchments is also committed to building staff understanding and engagement over time and has recently run a series of cultural heritage awareness training workshops for staff and others in the industry.