STORIES OF
CULTURAL BURNING IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA
New research-based resources are helping fire agencies and land management departments better understand Indigenous fire management practices, otherwise known as cultural burning. The learnings have been collated in the report Cultural Burning in southern Australia, an illustrated booklet and poster series. The research and resulting stories amplify Indigenous people’s perspectives on cultural burning by sharing six personal stories of what burning means. The stories showcase the diversity of this cultural practice and are accompanied by stunning illustrations.
“As fire and land management agencies in southern Australia, we need to continue to build relationships with Traditional Owners. These resources will help a broader range of land managers with a starting point for learning and engagement on cultural burning,” Dr Leavesley said. “This was the genesis for these resources to be produced, as we knew that agency practitioners wanted and needed more guidance and knowledge about cultural burning to partner and engage with Indigenous groups, but there is a lack of resources to assist with this.”
Four of the contributions centre on burning one’s own Country across southern Australia, while two stories reflect on experiences in academic and government roles that aim to learn from and support Traditional Owners and cultural burning. The Dean Freeman, end-user and Wiradjuri man explained the pride Indigenous people feel about cultural burning. stories are shared from members of the Noongar, Gunditjmara, Palawa, Ngunnawal, Bundjalung/ “If I couldn’t be connected with my past, I don’t think I’d Woonarua and Keytej peoples. be here today,” Mr Freeman said. “The feeling to burn with your family, that’s the ultimate. That’s how we heal.” Dean Freeman (ACT Parks and Conservation Service) and Bhiamie Williamson (Australian Also included in the booklet are 10 cultural burning National University) provided cultural oversight in principles, co-authored by the Indigenous authors bringing the collection together, as led by Dr Jessica involved in the project. Dr Weir explained that the Weir (Western Sydney University) with support from purpose of these cultural burning principles was to Dr Yasmin Tambiah (WSU), through the Hazards, provide guidance to a broad audience unfamiliar with Culture and Indigenous Communities project. cultural burning. The Aboriginal artwork featured is by Wiradjuri artist “These principles help articulate some of the core Lani Balzan, and the story illustrations are by Nicole matters at hand, which Aboriginal leaders have been Burton from Petroglyph Studios. raising for generations. These voices can be hard to Dr Adam Leavesley, project end-user from the ACT hear when they are the minority in the room, and so Parks and Conservation Service, explained that it is different from the dominant culture of governments critical for fire and land management agencies to and universities. continue learning more about cultural burning. 38 BUSH FIRE bulletin || FEATURES
