98. Even Today There is an Ancient Law for the River, a live conversation with Dr Anne Poelina

The RegenNarration Podcast

Chapters
0:00
Introductions
4:10
Anne & Anthony.
18:35
Mark Norval, nationally recognised artist & teacher in the region for 40 years. Anne refers to Mark as having been here forever, maybe the greatest respect an Indigenous elder could give! On the need for this film to reach schools & the young everywhere.
19:55
Amanda Dexter, Shire CEO, on the recent meeting she had with pastoralists.
24:40
Peter McCumstie, former Shire President, on what other industries Anne thinks could come off the river.
26:50
Me, on how not all pastoralists are holding onto old narratives of extraction that end up in disasters like the Murray-Darling river system; there are other narratives and practices emerging from pastoralists and farmers across the region and beyond.
32:40
Professor of Sustainability Peter Newman, on opportunities to gain support for the approach Anne is advocating, including from the group he’s part of, Professors for Environmental Responsibility.
35:40
Eleanor, local Derby woman with a significant family history in the region, and personal daily commitment to cleaning up the marsh and other living systems. … On fracking.
37:30
Geoff Haerewa, Shire President, on how we join the two sciences together, including for government decision-makers.
44:10
Mark Norval again, on why decisions about country need to be made on country, not in boardrooms.
47:10
Unsure who this was (do let me know if you know), on how to get this film seen right around the country.
49:25
Amanda Dexter again, on whether private online screenings/webinars could be organised, including with MPs.
51:30
Peter McCumstie again, on what might become of King Sound if the Martuwarra isn’t protected.
55:30
Victor, Anne’s old Bunuba school mate who was born in the river.
56:40
Final words from Anne.
The RegenNarration Podcast
98. Even Today There is an Ancient Law for the River, a live conversation with Dr Anne Poelina
Oct 21, 2021 Season 5 Episode 98
Anthony James

This is a very special episode, a live conversation event with Nyikina Warrwa elder, Dr Anne Poelina. We last spoke on the podcast for episode 84 back in May, on the launch of Regenerative Songlines Australia, and resolved to catch up on her Country here in the Kimberley later in the year. We ended up doing that at this live event I was honoured to host the Q&A for - a screening of the film we also talked about in May, The Serpent’s Tale.

The film features the story of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, its ancient Country, its First Peoples, its First Law, its need for recognition and protection, and its abundant opportunities for new economies, and as Anne puts it, the overarching need for sustainable lifeways on Country for Aboriginal people.

I wasn’t sure if this would turn into a podcast episode. But when the previous episode with Alessandro Pelizzon revealed such profound and significant global implications stemming from Anne’s work and what’s happening here, it had to be. All the more, given the quality and consequence of the dialogue that night.

Given, then, that this is in addition to the usual weekly releases, I initially thought I’d produce a shorter summary version of the conversation. I did edit it down a little, partly due to sound issues, but the conversation gets more profound as it goes, and it’s so connected and applicable to dialogue happening right around this country and elsewhere. We’re so in this together.

More on Anne: Anne is Chair of the esteemed Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council, an international award winner, has multiple postgraduate degrees, and over 30 years’ experience in Indigenous health, education, language and community development.

This episode was recorded live at the Sporties in Derby, on Nyikina Country, 9 October 2021.

With thanks to the Red Shed Derby Women’s Collective, Harry Jakamarra & 6DBY Larrkardi Radio.

CORRECTION: Where Anne talks about the sacred site on her country as being 100 million years old, she later corrected this – it’s a ridge that is 20 million years old, on bedrock that is 200 million years old.

Title slide: Dr Anne Poelina, live on the night (pic: Chris Lean). See more photos on the episode website.

Music:
River Feeling, at the top, & Liyan at the end, both by Anne’s son Mark Coles-Smith, composing as Kalaji (joined in Liyan b

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