Indigenous Plant Use & the Urban Environment: talking with Zena Cumpston

In this episode Chris talks with Zena Cumpston about the interconnection of life and place, the in/visibility of Aboriginal peoples in urban landscapes, and the complexity of using Indigenous knowledges to addresses ecological crises.

Zena Cumpston is a Barkandji woman who is passionate about all aspects of representation in relation to First Peoples. She currently works as a Research Fellow in Urban Environments at the Clean Air Urban Landscapes Hub at the University of Melbourne, working across several projects related to Aboriginal History, sustainability, ecology and biodiversity. Zena was lead researcher, co- producer and co-designer of The Living Pavilion installation at the University of Melbourne which featured 40,000 Kulin Nation plants foregrounding Indigenous knowledge, ecological science and sustainable design through participatory arts practice.

References

• Indigenous Plant Use booklet
• Food, tools and medicine: 5 native plants that illuminate deep Aboriginal knowledge
• To address the ecological crisis, Aboriginal peoples must be restored as custodians of Country

Artwork & Music

• Black Kurrajong Luis Fernández García (modified by C. Mayes)
• Music by City Plaza - Dan Bodan

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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