On 26 January 2025, mob across this continent will mourn a day that signifies the start of an ongoing and brutal invasion of our nations. While that day is full of sorrow and reflection, we will also be honouring Country and our rights as Law keepers of Country.
For these 20 days, join us to actively honour and celebrate our cultural obligations to protect and heal Country, heal Country and share knowledge and spirit for our future generations.
What’s happening on your Country? Let’s tell each other our success stories to encourage and inspire mob here in Lutruwita, across the continent and around the world.
It’s so easy to get depressed at this time of year but, instead, bring good spirit and get active.
Friends, allies, supporters and co-conspirators, engage with our online content each day (6-25 Jan), learn about and amplify Blak voices on your social media platforms and have conversations with family, friends and colleagues.
Look out for daily updates here on our website and on Instagram, Facebook and 𝕏.
Tag us and use hashtags #tellthetruth #protectorsofcountry
Monday 6 January
Tuesday 7 January
Wednesday 8 January
“Our Country is hurting and is in constant pain. Our spirit as a People isn’t fully fulfilled and healed until our beautiful milaythina, or our Country, is healed. Doesn’t matter whether or not you’re Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, we all have that yearning and feeling to be connected to this place. I’m not going to back down from standing up for what’s right.”
In Save our Forests, Nathan Pitchford, Neika Lehman, Tasha Matthews and Carleeta Rose Helen Thomas share how they feel when in the forests of Lutruwita and experiencing, first-hand, the aftermath of native forest logging.
Film by Troy Melville
Thursday 9 January
Are you listening white Australia?
Learning to understand
It is not for us that you have a God
in your image as man with His power
to create a realm of worldly possessions
in your desire for the virtual paradise
for we cannot see your God in Heaven
nor in his churches who cannot agree
to whom his pleasure bestows glory.
For our creator is here with us in this place
where Moinie is the spirit of All-life
who connects us like a river’s flow
in a circuitry of ever-cycles with everything
and the timeless space where we live forever
within the memory of All-life Country
with our laws of the land never changing.
Yet your supernatural God is the unknown
we cannot touch feel see or hear
is a god who has not seen us in His law
and so we wonder…
why our gift of connection with All-life
is not accepted by you for the respect
and love we share in the natural paradise.
We offer tagari-lia that Moinie created
in connection with all natural bodies
for it is here that our gift is held for you
to heal the sins vindicated by your God
as we journey together with respect for All-life
and learn to understand the gifts from Moinie
in the ever-cycle of life and death.
Uncle Jim Everett Puralia Meenamatta wrote ‘Ghost Nets and Waterlines’ as part of a visual arts collaboration between Palawa and Erubam Le (people of Erub Island, Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islands).
The exhibition was held in 2016 in the courtyard of TMAG – Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery – in Nipaluna.
Listen to Uncle Jim read the poem aloud while in interview on What Are You Looking At? podcast.
Friday 10 January
“We got a Law too, you know, and the river got the Law.” Senior Walmajarri Elder Joe Brown
Voices of the River is an award-winning documentary web series showcasing inspiring and powerful words from Traditional Owners along the Martuwarra Fitzroy River and their fight to protect the River from large-scale water extraction.
The 10-part series aims to share the cultural and environmental importance of Martuwarra, Australia's largest Aboriginal Heritage site, stretching over 700kms in WA's Kimberley region.
Current proposals to pump more than 300 billion litres of surface water from the Fitzroy River will cause irreversible damage to Martuwarra and its precious Aboriginal Heritage, potentially turning it into the next Murray-Darling.
Go to the website to hear Walmajarri, Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Kija and Nyikina Elders and Custodians tell their stories.
A second documentary on Martuwarra, LIFEBLOOD (narrated by Obby Bedford), recently premiered in Perth. Look out for, or organise, a screening near you.
Support these communities by listening directly to mob, showing up, engaging online, signing any petitions, writing to MPs and starting conversations with friends, family and colleagues about the importance of protecting Martuwarra.
“I know how much I love my home, my community and my Country and all of my waterways and I just want other people to be able to enjoy it with us as well and we won’t be able to all enjoy it together if it gets destroyed… Always remember that you are on Aboriginal land and Aboriginal people are welcoming and don’t ever think otherwise because we do all want to live in harmony, just don’t destroy our Country. ”
Saturday 11 January
“Fire’s beautiful. It’s like water; it trickles through the landscape. And the right fire protects the trees and it brings food and encourages new life. It takes away all the rubbish that’s suppressing the landscape. It looks after our animals and even the animals know fire. It is something that belongs in this landscape. But when people don’t know the fire and they disconnect themselves from the landscape, then that’s when we have trouble.”
Sunday 12 January
Blood of Life
Poems on Country
Film Troy Melville
Monday 13 January
Two major challenges facing First Nations Peoples, as a result of the ongoing impacts of invasion and settler colonialism, are ecological degradation of Country (threatening cultural and ecological values) and a lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Gathering Voices Society believes that finding a balance between development and conservation is possible using innovative local models. Visit their website for more about their purpose, projects and partnerships and follow on Instagram or Facebook.
Victor Steffersen collaborated with Gathering Voices in April 2023. He revisited Yunesit’in Country (in British Columbia, Turtle Island/Canada) to carry out spring burns with the community and exchange valuable knowledge.
Tuesday 14 January
Return Lee Point to the Care of Larrakia People
Lee Point in Darwin is a sacred area of Larrakia Dreaming, Ceremony and history that is currently under threat of being destroyed by Defence Housing Australia to build 800 houses for the military and First National Real Estate O'Donoghue's profits.
This campaign to not only save Lee Point from destruction but have the area returned to the care and custodianship of Larrakia people is being led by young Larrakia women Laniyuk (Mills), Sharna Nakata (Batcho) and Cyan Sue-Lee (Cubillo).
Remember to always prioritise mob-led campaigns.
Find out more at returnleepoint.com. Join the mailing list, sign any and all petitions, follow on Instagram, make a donation and buy the t-shirt.
fresh daily content
6-25 January 2025
fresh daily content 6-25 January 2025
Wednesday 15 January
“Murujuga is a place of worship. Our rock art tells our stories; it is our Bible. We practise and continue to follow our cultural protocols, passing down knowledge of Lore and culture. As custodians we are entrusted to carry on our traditional customs.
We are joining together to stop new industry on the Burrup from damaging our Songlines, our rock art, our health and our climate. We oppose planned expansion of Burrup Hub industry by Woodside, Perdaman and Yara.”
Take Action
Sign up to Save Our Songlines supporters list to receive updates and invitations to events and actions.
Follow saveoursonglines on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter then be sure to like, comment and share posts so more people know their story.
Donate to support their continued campaigning.
Ngarluma & Yindjibarndi man and tour guide Clinton Walker started Ngurrangga Tours primarily to “educate and immerse people in the ways of his culture and history so that they could understand more about Pilbara Aboriginal culture and Country”.
There are around 2 million pieces of art in the area and, as Clinton says, “A lot of guests that come on our tours are gobsmacked not only by the rock art in Murujuga but also how much and how close big industry are to the rock art….”
Thursday 16 January
“Among Whanganui iwi there’s a very famous saying: E rere kau mai te Awa nui mai i te Kāhui Maunga ki Tangaroa / Ko au te Awa, ko te Awa ko au. The Great River flows from the Mountains to the Sea / I am the River, and the River is me.”
This 2017 episode of webseries Kaupapa on the Couch discusses world-leading legislation in Aotearoa (New Zealand) that recognises Te Urewera national park and the Whanganui river as people. Written and presented by Leonie Hayden (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Rango).
The Whanganui River, known as Te Awa Tupua, is a living being that nourishes and sustains the land and the people both physically and spiritually from the Mountains to the Sea.
These documentaries and film trailers, including award-winning documentary feature I Am The River, The River Is Me (2024), show and explain how the health and wellbeing of one element of the River is intrinsically connected to the health and wellbeing of the whole River, and to the people of the River.
To learn more about Te Awa Tupua go to Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o.
Follow the work of grassroots land rights activists such as Pania Newton of SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscapes), artists like Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho and educational content creators including Aotearoa Liberation League IG FB.
Friday 17 January
It’s FOLLOW FRIDAY!
Today we’re highlighting some more (of the many) important Protectors of Country across this continent.
Saturday 18 January
Uncle Paul Kabai and Uncle Pabai Pabai are leaders from Guda Maluyligal in the Torres Strait. They’re taking the Federal Government to court over rising sea levels and climate harm to their Island homes.
Right now, the Uncles and their team are preparing to front court for the case’s final hearings. They are strong — but have asked for people across this continent to join them in their fight for climate justice, because we are more powerful together.
So as the Uncles courageously put themselves forward, let’s rally behind them, and tell decision-makers that thousands of us are demanding stronger climate action.
Mura Kalmel Sipa means ‘together we stand’ in Kala Kawa Ya (KKY) language. From bushfires to floods and extreme heat, communities across the country are facing climate harm. Together we can demand solutions.
Can you pledge support for the Uncles’ fight?
Sunday 19 January
Monday 20 January
“My story is in the land it is written in those sacred places. I will look after those places, that is the law. Culture not Cash”
Larissa Baldwin is a proud Widjabul Wia-bul woman from the Bundjalung Nations. She comes from a long line of political activists and is dedicated to fighting for land rights and climate justice, organising communities and building people-powered movements.
In 2022 Larissa Baldwin was appointed CEO of GetUp Australia. This independent movement of more than one million people works to build a progressive Australia and put people back into politics.
At GetUp she has worked with Traditional Owners and other communities on the frontline of fracking and seen the immense power of GetUp members to fight for change.
Sign the open letter with Traditional Owners in their fight against fracking in the Northern Territory.
Tuesday 21 January
There is Another Way
Statement by Ruth Langford/Tipruthanna
Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung, born and lives in Lutruwita, with cultural responsibility to Palawa and their Country.
Ruth Langford, along with Pakana people Carleeta Rose Helen Thomas and Cody Gangell, are protecting Country today in the heart of Eastern Tiers forest, Lutruwita/Tasmania.
We stand on the edge of a clearfell logging coupe. Behind us are ancient intact ecological relationships and in front of us, in stark contrast, greed-driven devastation. We are seeing colonial plunder of natural systems Aboriginal people honour for the well-being of all.
Right now, in the US, Donald Trump is being inaugurated as president. We are less than a week away from a significant annual Day of Mourning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout so-called Australia.
As our global human society moves towards uncertainty, instability and toxicity, we choose not to be disillusioned or distressed. We choose to activate our cultural obligations and spiritual responsibilities. We choose a way that draws on the ancient wisdom of earth-honouring First Nations cultures.
First Nations laws, practices and wisdom – cultivated over thousands of years – will relieve climate crisis and societal distress so we can live in ‘right relationship’, or in balance, with all that sustains and nourishes us.
Palawa Elder Uncle Jim Everett puralia meenamatta has asked everyone to stand with him. To accept his call to defend and protect Palawa Country.
Despite the ongoing impacts of colonisation, Palawa Law in Country remains strong. The natural life-enhancing systems that formed Palawa Law in Country must be followed to restore the balance disturbed and disrupted by the relentless plunder of extractive industry.
Native forest logging is destroying the relationship ecosystems that sustain All-life. Under Palawa Law we ask the question: Who are the real criminals?
When colonial government agencies, such as Forestry Tasmania, allow the destruction of important water catchments and increase our vulnerability to potential catastrophic fire events then we, the people, must act.
It is clear we cannot rely on the current colonial political systems or institutions to provide any leadership towards a healthy and vibrant way of being.
There is another way. The way home to healthy people is to nurture and sustain healthy forests and restore our waterways. We must protect Palawa Law in Country.
Images Jillian Mundy & Ramji Ambrosiussen
Wednesday 22 January
Who are the real criminals?
Thursday 23 January
Protecting Country: Ruth Langford/Tipruthanna, Carleeta Rose Helen Thomas and Cody Gangell lead a protest, supported by Bob Brown Foundation forest defenders, in Lutruwita’s Eastern Tiers on 21 Jan 2025.
Images Ramji Ambrosiussen/BBF
A unified relationship, formed through deep time, exists between Palawa and Country. For thousands of generations our shared knowledge, that respects and values All-life, has nourished Country, people and culture.
Violent invasion by Britain in 1803 and a brutal and destructive colonial settlement project, which is currently ongoing, constantly tears at this relationship and threatens to rip it apart forever. However, just as the strength of the string woven from the grasses of Country, this connection cannot and will not be broken.
It took nearly two centuries – a long hard fight – for parcels of our land (only 0.3% of Lutruwita) to finally be returned, and in an appalling state. The impacts of agriculture, industry, neglect and extreme weather events make Country sick. Since 1995, however, we have had some freedom to begin to heal our Country and people.
Palawa rangers across Lutruwita, including Tayaritja/Bass Strait Islands, are managing these returned lands using cultural practices that have maintained the well-being of this place and our people through two ice ages.
After more than 20 years of hard work, cultural care and community dedication, some of these lands are finally returning to health under the expertise of our rangers and cultural knowledge keepers.
The results of Palawa-led projects, such as rehabilitation of Lungtalanana, speak for themselves. And, with more support and resources, so much more can be done to heal Lutruwita for the benefit of all who live here.
Please generously support Pakana and Truwana Rangers, and the return of land without government interference, through givinglandback.org.
“If you look at Aboriginal society, the well-being of the land and Country is essential to the well-being of people... Even if we’re not aware of it, that actually underpins our existence. We need to put those values back at the forefront of our decision-making about how we live – about the projects we do, about how we develop. Putting those values back will bring us back to a deeper understanding, which is essential to our long-term future. We need to protect wayalinah by caring more for the Country they are in.”
Who are the real criminals?
Ruth Langford/Tipruthanna, Carleeta Rose Helen Thomas and Cody Gangell reflect on Uncle Jim Everett’s call to protect Country following their morning protest and Ruth’s arrest in Eastern Tiers forest. parliament lawns, Nipaluna, 21 January 2025
Footage/interviews: Jillian Mundy and Sarah Wilcox
“What’s done in the dark will come into the light and we will continue to expose what the colonial government is doing to our Country.”
“To see injustice and do nothing is a privilege and a choice. Why is it challenging for you to make the choice to stand with us?”
“Please understand that solidarity with my people must include my siblings who are also deeply impacted by colonialism and corporate greed in places like West Papua, Hawai’i, Turtle Island (Canada and USA), Sudan, Congo, Yemen and, of great urgency at this particularly horrifying chapter of history, in Palestine. Our solidarity shouldn’t ever be dictated by geographical proximity.”
“Respect, solidarity, and understanding demand action. Reflect on how your story connects to the land you inhabit and determine your next steps. Do what you can to support the fight for justice both locally and globally.”
Tasmanian Palestine Advocacy Network (TPAN) is a Nipaluna-based community group fighting for Palestinian liberation, justice and self-determination and organise the powerful Saturday rallies on Nipaluna’s waterfront.
TPAN is currently collaborating with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) to present a series of events exploring the shared history and struggles between Lutruwita and Palestine.
Follow TPAN on Instagram, Facebook, take a look at their website and support their events, actions and fundraisers.
Maggie and Zainab will be speaking at this year’s Invasion Day rally in Nipaluna representing TPAN.
Sharing Histories Piyura Kitina Dec 2024, Madeline Wells; Free Palestine rally Nipaluna Nov 2024, Kristy Alger
