Send Aunties to Custodians of Country Gathering

We are now relaunching this fundraiser to cover the final costs of travel and accommodation. We need to raise a further $1820. Thank you for your support!

With your support, Aunty Kali and Aunty Alice Rose will be attending the Biri Bulmba Budang National Custodians of Country Gathering on Djabugay County in just 2 weeks time!

This is a wonderful opportunity for our aunties to share their work and meet people from around the country in their field. They will represent our region and do us proud as they do everyday. Our wish is that the week is a nourishing and inspiring time for Marcia and Alice, they so deserve it.

Aunty Kali is a Guli-bul elder and cultural fire practitioner. Aunty is doing such important work in our community, raising awareness about the role and rights of indigenous women to practice culture on the land. She is leading the way, encouraging and empowering sisters to join her in the powerful work of healing country. This year Aunty Kali (Marcia Brooks Néme McBride) and Aunty Alice Rose Close have joined the Jugan Alliance as cultural fire practitioners for the Jugan Rangers. Jugan Alliance

Our community came together to raise funds to support Aunty Kali and Aunty Alice Rose to attend the Munu-munu National Indigenous Fire Workshop in 2022. Unfortunately, the 2022 workshop was cancelled due to COVID-19. The workshop has now evolved to become the Biri Bulmba Budang National Custodians of Country Gathering and will take place on Djabugay country on the 21 - 25 August 2023. Aunty Kali and Aunty Alice Rose have had their attendance honoured from last year's cancelled workshop.

 

We have secured registrations for both Aunty Kali and Aunty Ali Rose. We are now relaunching this fundraiser to cover the costs of travel and accommodation.

 

Tickets - $660 each

Field day with Victor Steffenson - $253 each

Biri Bulmba Budang T-shirt - $45 each

Return Flights - $511 each

Accommodation 5 nights - $1363.25 total

On-the-ground travel expenses - $200 (approx)

Fundraiser fees - $250

 

Fundraising Goal - $4750

Funds raised by the 04/08/2023 - $2871, including a generous direct donation of $500 from our local Landcare group.

Thank you for your support and for sharing this fundraiser. Personally, I believe that right now there is nothing more important than supporting Indigenous-led cultural land management, especially the women.

Bugelbeh, Elissa

About NIFW

The National Indigenous Fire Workshop has evolved from the Awu-Alaya Elders fire management project in Cape York that began in 2004. These on-Country Workshops have been held annually since 2008 and have been developed over the years to strengthen culture and share the importance of recognising and reviving Cultural Fire regimes to care for Country. This work is greatly respected and has gone on to inspire communities all over the country and brought people together to learn about Indigenous Cultural Fire and land management practices.

What started as a small Indigenous Fire Workshop in Cape York 12 years ago, has grown into a national network now supported by Firesticks Alliance, an Indigenous-led body who works with Indigenous communities around Australia to strengthen knowledge and practice of Culture on Country.

This gathering of Traditional custodians from across Australia engaged in Cultural fire and land management practices aims to share knowledge and experience with each other, plus partners and stakeholders involved in fire management and looking after Country.

The Munu Munu National Indigenous Fire Workshop was to be the 12th annual National Indigenous Fire Workshop and after being away from Cape York for more than two years, with workshops being held in New South Wales on Yuin in 2018 and Victoria on Yorta Yorta Country in 2019, returning to Far North Queensland. Unfortunately, the 2022 Munu Munu gathering was cancelled due to COVID-19.

About Biri Bulmba Budang National Custodians of Country Gathering

The gathering will demonstrate practical innovation to contemporary land and sea management, biodiversity, threatened species management and agriculture with practical sessions on Country, cultural workshops and conference symposia during the event.

Participants will gain an insight into the interconnected components of Cultural land and sea management practices and the responsibility of looking after Country. Participants will be immersed in Indigenous culture and practice. Masterclasses will be delivered in Cultural Fire, Indigenous Ethno-botany, weaving, tool making, dance, cooking, music, reading country and monitoring.

Local Wet Tropics Traditional custodians and Firesticks Alliance have been working together and each of these hosting groups have initiatives which will be showcased during the gathering.

Delegates will be offered a number of different field trips, hosted by Traditional custodians. Delegates will be transported across cultural landscapes from the rainforest to the reef-north, east, south and west across this incredibly unique and special place in north Queensland.

Firesticks