“No matter the distance between us all, First Nations peoples are never apart. We are bound in the same struggles, the same responsibilities and carry the same unbreakable bonds to Country. Whether in our ancestral lands or on Country across the ocean, a big connection we all share is the health of our people being connected to the health of Country. We are all one story that is written from the same spirit.” - Germaine Paulson, Mununjali and Wulli Wulli Man, Firesticks Regional Coordinator for South-East QLD
In July, Firesticks had the incredible honour of hosting our Yunesit’in friends all the way from British Columbia on Buluwai Country, Far North Queensland.
This three-day workshop united around 30 people including indigenous fire practitioners from opposite sides of the world in an effort to share Cultural Fire knowledge across nations. During our stay these practitioners collaboratively strengthened practical and traditional fire and land management knowledge, conducting a Cultural Burn together on Buluwai Country.
For the past eight years, Firesticks co-founder and Tagalaka man Victor Steffensen has built a foundation of collaborative exchange with the Yunesit’in on their own lands in Canada, leading to this historic gathering.
First Nations Peoples from Canada and Australia share a profound history of using "right fire" as a land management tool, not only to reduce fire risk, but to promote healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Tsilhqot’in word for fire translates to, “lightening the load off the land,” which aligns with the objectives of Cultural Fire use by First Nations people in Australia. Indigenous communities in both nations face similar barriers to utilising Cultural Fire knowledge due to diminished land rights and strict regulations, even as 80% of Canada's Indigenous communities are in wildfire prone areas.
“As a family of proud Bama, we hold a deep passion for our culture, our people, and the old ways handed down to us. Standing alongside groups like Firesticks and Gathering Voices Society reminds us of the strength in connection - walking together to bring back the practices of our ancestors, for the sake of future generations. This is how we keep our old ways alive. This is how we heal Country. This is how we stand strong.”- Uncle Bertie Riley, Djabugay man, Mayi Wunba.
Sharing knowledge and many laughs along the way, the group were treated to a special Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony from Uncle Bertie Riley with Mayi Wunba dancers.
Each day the group swam in the healing and medicinal waters of the nearby creek that ran through the camp. At night, they shared stories and delicious food cooked on the fire, with (kanga)roo, whole fish and bush curries on the menu.
On day two, the Jabalina Rangers joined us to ignite the first fire close-by. Carefully controlled by Yunesit’in, Jabalina Rangers and Firesticks Practitioners the flames rolled slowly down the hill, the fire safely reaching the campground at night, setting a spectacular scene. This night burn was a highlight and continued over the next few evenings.
The next day Aunty Rhonda Brim, Aunty Coralie Wason, Aunty Suelle Wason and Aunty Andrea Wason came to visit, sharing some of their traditional weaving techniques over some good yarns and many cups of tea. Using lomandra grass, we had a go at weaving small dilly bags and spent the afternoon enjoying the therapeutic and communal healing of the action of weaving.
The group also visited the Jalabina Rangers on Yalanji land where they learned more about the area’s history from Uncle Richard who spoke about the devastating loss of land and traditions during colonisation.
This new base for the rangers was recently returned to the Traditional Owners by philanthropic donors. The rangers are on a mission to replant some of the trees lost to logging and all of the visitors were invited to plant red cedar trees, which they did before sharing lunch together.
On the way out we spotted a female crocodile sunbathing in the wild. During this time of year it is mating season for crocodiles, and she was letting herself be known with her big jaw wide open - much to the horror of some of our Canadian guests!
On the final day, the team got a closer look at the crocodiles at Hartley’s before capping off a beautiful week with a dip in the beautiful waterhole and falls right above camp before enjoying their last night together with a special ceremony guided by Russell Myers Ross, Program Lead, Yunesit'in Qwen (fire) Stewardship, Yunesit'in.
“I think when Indigenous peoples meet...it’s a common thread in terms of our histories, working to revive our culture, but also the histories of dispossession or the things that have been taken away. But overall it’s this just regenerative feeling of people that have put their souls into wanting to do better for their families and community and revive things. And people that see even the larger issues like climate change or problems with the way the land’s been treated and want to really fix it or put themselves in responsibility to help other people try to fix it with them.” - Russel Myers Ross, Yunesit’in Cultural Fire Lead
“A special ceremony, a food offering to the ancestors was lead by First Nations Canadian Chief, Russell Myers Ross which was really special. Kruze and I spoke after it, and we were both amazed at how grounded and level we felt afterwards. It was a reminder to always keep ancestors close, for they are our peace and guidance.” - Pete Townsend, Proud Wiradjuri, Wayilwan and Gomeroi Man, Lead Fire Practitioner at Firesticks.
