Guardians of the Rainforest for over 25 years

The Daintree Rainforest at Sunrise © Martin Stringer

 

We continue to celebrate and say thanks to everyone who has supported 25 years of Rainforest Rescue.

In this message, enjoy time with two friends of our team, Tahlia Burchill-O’Brien and Sheryl J Burchill. Here, they give their thoughts on why ‘the best time is now’, for sharing a respectful relationship with Rainforest Rescue and Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners as Guardians of the Daintree Rainforest…

 

Rainforest Rescue has come alongside Bama with a shared vision to protecting our Julay (Daintree) Rainforest. “Two-way the whole way” will enable healing and restoration of our land.

Tahlia Burchill-O’Brien

 

“Two-way the whole way”

“Before colonisation, Bama (Kuku Yalanji people) lived harmoniously on the land for millennia. They left nothing but footprints. So, there was no need to heal the land.

Post-colonisation has seen impacts to the land and biodiversity, including flora and fauna. The gentle footprints have turned into agricultural and architectural chaos. “Healing of the land” is a new concept that has become relevant and necessary as a result of colonisation.

Bama will continue to care for the land because that is our cultural obligation and responsibility. However, nowadays there are limitations in where and how this care can happen.

For example, Bama are sometimes restricted by fenced boundaries of private property, government control and the ongoing challenge of living in two worlds (culture and society). So we need allies and non-traditional custodians to come alongside us to break down some of these barriers.

Rainforest Rescue has come alongside Bama with a shared vision to protecting our Julay (Daintree) Rainforest. “Two-way the whole way” will enable healing and restoration of our land. Bama supports Rainforest Rescue with knowledge and sustainable practices spanning generations. Likewise, Rainforest Rescue supports Bama to fulfil their custodianship to their Rainforest.

Together we are stronger.”

   Written by Tahlia Burchill-O’Brien.

 

Whilst I sat painting the Beans I reflected on the Rainforest Rescue team, busy working away in their plant nursery in the Cow Bay area. In my mind’s eye I saw them collecting the rainforest fruit seeds, growing them and then replanting them back into the Daintree.

Sheryl J Burchill

 

“The rainforest is a place of healing”

“Our people, Eastern Kuku Yalanji, have lived amongst the Julay (Daintree) rainforest for a long, long time. We are people of the rainforest. Our cultural connection to it is deep.

Now, I want you to understand that your connection to the rainforest is deeper than you may realise. Perhaps I can help you to see this.

Ever since I was a child, I would spend time in the rainforest. I would sit by the creek and watch and listen. Animals are no longer shy when you sit quietly.

That stillness is something we need in our lives. Not many of us get to experience it. To sit and be.

Bama use country as a place of healing. When you go back to country, walk on country, spend time on country, it restores you. The rainforest is a place of healing for me, just like it was when I was a little girl.

Recently, as part of my artistic practice, I painted a set of Beans from the rainforest (see above image).

The Beans grow inside a metre-long pod on a vine. Once fallen from the pods the beans are washed down the creeks and rivers out to the Jalun (sea) and then washed back onto the beach with the tide. I collect them from the beach, paint them and make things with them.

Whilst I sat painting the Beans I reflected on the Rainforest Rescue team, busy working away in their plant nursery in the Cow Bay area. In my mind’s eye I saw them collecting the rainforest fruit seeds, growing them and then replanting them back into the Daintree.

The relationship between Rainforest Rescue staff working with our Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners is not only of Reconciliation but a wonderful way to come together. To learn about and to store botanical and cultural plant knowledge and to preserve, protect and regrow the rainforest together.

This is something that sits well with my Wawu (spirit) and I will support these shared efforts where I can.

Your own support of this act of healing is in itself a kind of reconciliation. An acknowledgment. A connection to the rainforest and to something bigger. A need for restoration after so much has been taken away from the land and sea.

Together, we are all healing. Our country, our people, ourselves.

Remember, all it takes is one seed to begin to plant a rainforest.”

   As told by Sheryl J Burchill.

 

I acknowledge all Traditional Custodians of this Bubu (country) and the Jalun (sea) surrounding it; locally of which I live, work and relax on and throughout this Nation. I pay my deepest Respects to all my Elders past and present. I thank them for their knowledge, their strength and their kindness. I also acknowledge the new generation of Cultural Practitioners

 

View more stories to learn why the best time is now to restore and protect our rainforests.

 

---

 

Want more good Rainforest news in your life?

Subscribe to our eNews  | Follow us on Instagram  |  Like us on Facebook  | Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Help Protect Rainforests Forever

Donate to Protect Rainforests Forever  |  Become a Rainforest Guardian  |  Partnership Options