WEEYN YAKEEN
Fire Dreaming
June, 2020
John and Jack kindly share their insights and views on how fire was used as a tool by the Maar people for generations, as well as their obligations to look after country, otherwise known as family or mother earth.
Key Messages:
​Fire as a tool – the way country was managed
Current fire management - short term benefit, hard to maintain
Used fire for cultural reasons: to ensure food resources, to move animals around country. To maintain diverse ecosystems for specific reasons, food production, cultural protection of sites
Deliberate objective to maintain country for purpose
The Eastern Maar Country Plan
Xxx Strategy – Remembering our Future
To understand the obligations to look after country.
Jack’s project - to re-incorporate fire in the landscape to regenerate manna gums
Open country/ woodland in times of Gadabanud. Hoping to achieve the same - open woodland. The day after 10ml rain - 1 acre per day.
An equal footing for laws and lores
All about looking after Mother Earth
More conversations to come
Resources:
Eastern Maar Meerreengeeye ngakeepoorryeeyt, Country Plan
Matters Article – Returning Fire to Country
Restoring Cape Restoring Cape Otway Woodlands
2019 Tour - A Unique Learning Experience