Yolngu Fire Advice & NSW Emergency

Hey tribe, we have had a crazy few days here with the local fires!

A few of our friend's houses in the North Coast region have been burnt down and many more have had to evacuate.

We're really mindful of how shocking and impossibly difficult it is when massive fires rip through National Parks and then the wind brings those fires into our communities.

I spoke to my adopted family in North-East Arnhem Land yesterday to share what has been happening.

They were so concerned about us all. Roslyn Malngumba, my adopted mother and Yolngu elder/law keeper, was confused as to why we wouldn't burn the land in the cold time - so it didn't flare up in the hot times.

Such a simple solution!

One which is difficult for us to action when considering our current relationship to fire and the complex governance structures around native bush land.

I have seen the female Yolngu elders sing rain 💦

So, I also asked what could we do collectively to bring the rain?

Roslyn advised me to go to our closest body of fresh water (rivers, creeks, tanks, dams, taps). Put the water in my mouth and then many times spit it/spray it across the land, while calling to the water to come. Almost like placing seeds of water onto the land and calling out to the ancestor of water to join us on the land.

She said, "Do this and the gapu (water) will come."

She asked that I share this message with my friends - so I thought I would let you know in the hope we can caretake the land together.

It's easy to dismiss this sort of simple, body-based practise when we are full to the brim just trying to save our properties and in a peak action state. And yet this was the advise I was given from a woman who has the power to be in such deep connection with the ancestor of rain that is flows when she sings.

If enough of us do this with all of our hearts then I believe we can bring the rain.

Indigenous people across the world have been masterfully looking after the land through physical and spiritual action for thousands of years.

Maybe in learning a different relationship to these powerful elements we can become masterful caretakers of country too?

Maybe this is the lesson the earth is asking us to learn?

I would love to hear your thoughts and your experience of calling in gapu (water)...

Feel free to share this advice to your community if you feel to.

In Connection, Kate

Nature Philosophy Founder