Cuts to the Kimberley's Green Army Indigenous rangers will result in 36 jobs losses in a region with an unemployment rate higher than national average.
One of those to be affected is Selena Stumpagee, an Indigenous ranger, who has worked in land management and conservation on the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley for four years.
The Green Army program was an Abbott government initiative for young Australians to train and work in the environment sector.
Ms Stumpagee said when she first put on her Green Army ranger work uniform her father cried.
"I just wish my grandfather was alive today to see me," she said.
Ms Stumpagee said the job had been life changing for her.
It has helped her rebuild her life after her four children were removed by welfare authorities.
"I'm fighting for my kids, and I'm slowly getting them back," she said.
Recently, three of her four children have been returned to her care.
"It's all because of the support the ranger girls have given me, and me being out in the workplace."
But Ms Stumpagee will be losing her job this month, along with 36 other men and women rangers in the Kimberley.
Her position was funded by the Federal Government via the Green Army — an environmental action program that has been axed.
"It's really hard on us, most of us women working for the rangers we have kids," she said.
"We could go back on Centrelink, and get more money from Centrelink, but we don't want to because we love the job. We love what we are doing."
"Why I want to keep going, I want to show my kids what we are doing. My kids are telling me they want to be a ranger too."
"I know it will be a good thing for future generations."
A loss for women in Indigenous communities
Irene Davey, a Bardi Jawi elder, Kimberley Land Council board member, and ranger advisor, said there areas that were only accessible by women were in need of rangers attention and that was one of the reasons the women's program had started.
Ms Davey said the program has made a significant impact on the women in her community.
"They have a purpose, a reason to wake up in the morning," she said.
As of 2016, there were 109 ranger groups around Australia, with women making up about one quarter of the working force.
The politics
The Green Army program was an Abbott government initiative for young Australians to train and work in the environment sector. It has supported projects across urban, regional and remote Australia.
As part of the current government mission to repair the budget, it was axed in last year's mid year budget, saving $350 million.
Josh Frydenberg, the Minister for Environment and Energy, said the decision to close the program was difficult but necessary.
"Despite the cessation of the Green Army program the Federal Government continues to support a number of local programs including the National Landcare Program and the Indigenous Ranger — Working on Country program," he said.
The Kimberley Land Council (KLC), the organisation managing most rangers in the region, said the axing of the program would mean the loss of one third of the Indigenous rangers.
"It is disappointing to lose these positions and see people forced back into the welfare system, rather than working on country as rangers," KLC deputy chief executive officer Tyronne Garstone said.
Unemployment already high in the Kimberley
The rate of unemployment in the Kimberley is higher than the national average.
The Kija rangers of the East Kimberley work in an area with an unemployment rate of over 33 per cent.
Their group is taking one of the biggest hits, with six out of eight rangers losing their job. The group's coordinator Paul Murray says he is devastated.
"If there is one thing in community that helps people stay away from alcohol and drugs, that's having purpose," he said.
"Something to do with their days that stops them from getting bored and restoring to those activities."
The rangers are good role models for young children in the community, Mr Murray said.
"It opens opportunities that they can work toward in conservation and land management."
Many losing their jobs won't be able to finish the TAFE qualifications supported under the Green Army program..
Ranger role not just for men
Ms Stumpagee is a Bardi Jawi Oorany ranger. Oorany means 'women' in the local language. It's an important distinction.
In 2006, a ranger program was established for Bardi Jawi men. It wasn't until 2011 that women had to chance to put on a ranger uniform and be involved.
Women rangers show young girls it is possible to do a "man's job" and be a strong mother, she said.
"Young girls and mothers, they are still shy," she said.
"We showing other young women and young girls what we are doing, and that's really good."
"Women can do anything, it's not only men."
Despite losing her job, Ms Stumpagee said she was committed to looking for funding to employ more Indigenous rangers in the Kimberley.
"I'm going around my community asking, 'how can you guys help us'," she said.
"I don't want to lose this job," she said.
