Empower Aboriginal Women through Cultural Burning

Over the past couple of months, Firesticks have supported the coordination, planning and delivery of 3x community-led women’s cultural fire workshops across Australia. 

In May, over 100 Indigenous women gathered on Kaurna Country in South Australia for the first-of-its-kind National Indigenous Women's Fire Workshop (Ngangkirna Kardlatidli - Women with Fire). This inaugural cultural event was co-hosted by Firesticks, the Kaurna Fire Team and Kaurna Elders, bringing together Indigenous women across Australia to support them to fulfil their important roles in Cultural Fire. From being caretakers of women’s business, medicines and native plants, to teachers and role models inspiring the next generation to care for Country. Participants gathered on the grounds of Warriparinga, a ceremonial meeting place for Kaurna peoples, surrounded by ancient River Red Gums. The gathering was a time of healing, knowledge-sharing and truth-telling for women and for Country. Workshop sessions were delivered in the following areas:

• Cultural and ecological monitoring of plants and soil
• Governance engagement and self determination
• Weaving, tools, arts, dancing, language, food and medicine
• Indigenous social enterprise
• Knowledge workshops and field trips across the Kaurna cultural landscape

“So grateful for the efforts by all to make this event happen. Such a privilege and honour to participate. A beautiful experience of uplifting women, uplifting culture, making connections, seeing strong role models of all generations raising the bar high for all us. You make us proud and we celebrate your successes. Just exceptional.” - NIWFW Participant

https://firesticks.org.au/events/ngagkirna-kardlatidli-national-indigenous-womens-fire-workshop/ 

https://www.nativetitlesa.org/women-with-fire/ 

Firesticks supported another Women’s Cultural Fire Workshop in March on Gunditjmara Country, VIC. This important event was led by Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, bringing over 30 women together from across Victoria to learn about Cultural Fire and traditional land management. Gunditjmara community members and Elders returned Cultural Fire to Lake Condah for the first time in generations. Participants walked away from the workshop with a strong connection to Country and the broader Victorian Women’s Cultural Fire Network. 

“Having the opportunity to connect with other women in Cultural Fire, and the knowledge exchange and cultural healing. I’m so grateful to have been able to participate in an incredible workshop with amazing First Nations women whose strength and passion for Cultural Fire is inspirational” - Amber Munkara (Wotjobaluk)

The Kuku Thaypan Women Back on Country workshop took place in March on Kuku Thaypan Country, QLD. Where we spent 3 days at Maryvalley homestead with the Musgrave and George women, Firesticks facilitated an aspirations workshop over 3 days discussing the community priorities for the next 3 years. The Musgrave and George women walked country with their children and were able to engage in a monitoring workshop where we identified different plants and animals and curated a unique fire plan after the heavy wet season.