Lessons from Indigenous Australia may hold a key to a sustainable future

Beaming Green

Indigenous Australians are the first-known human inhabitants of the Australian continent and its nearby islands. The term includes both the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginal People, who together make up about 2.5% of Australia's population.

Scientists believe Indigenous Australians arrived in Australia between 40,000 and 70,000 years ago, but Aboriginal history says "we have been here since time began".

Non-Indigenous Australians can learn a great deal from these ancient custodians. Their deep connection to country, with thousands of years lived experience on the land, provides unique expertise in managing Australia's land and water in a more sustainable way.

In this episode I speak with Paul Burragun (Uncle Boomerang), who is a Birrinburra, Bundjalung, Wangerriburra & Yuggera Turrbal man. Paul has been developing and delivering cultural workshops in schools and early learning centres for the past 20 years in South East Queensland and North Eastern NSW.

Paul shares his journey as an Aboriginal man, his ancestry and some of the traditions and customs that have shaped his life.

We talk about how:

• sharing songlines keeps valuable information from the past alive
• stars connect to the songlines
• many languages and Aboriginal dialects there were and some of the interpretations between clans
• Aboriginals were listed under the local Flora and Fauna Act until 1967
• Aboriginal people traditionally used bush tucker
• in Paul's country there are six seasons, rather than four
• sharing Aboriginal customs and traditions with communities in his region is his passion.

I really had a great time speaking with Paul and would recommend you listen to this podcast and share it with your friends and family to raise awareness of Aboriginal traditions and customs.

If you would like to get information about the programs on offer visit https://www.burragun.com.au