Our final episode recorded in the Kimberley last year features Natalie Davey, a Bunuba-Walmajarri woman, Traditional Custodian of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, first Indigenous Chair of Environs Kimberley, broadcaster, artist, educator and so much more. What a privilege it was to be welcomed to her home and Country, on the banks of the River just outside Fitzroy Crossing. The Martuwarra is one of the last wild rivers in the world and, as you may have heard in previous episodes, it’s at the heart of another flashpoint right now.

Extractive colonial narratives of ‘advancing the north’ persist. One of Australia’s outstanding audio documentary makers, Kirsti Melville, entitled her recent 2-part ABC podcast on this place: ‘First they came for the land, now they come for the water’.

But then, Nat recalls how her own Indigenous grandmother was afraid of Native Title, fearing it might mean she had to return to a tough life on Country. So if anyone can speak to where we go from here, it’s Nat.

This is a very special conversation by the Martuwarra, a deep insight into the Kimberley, its extraordinary Country and rich cultures, how we can avert the threats to it all, and be part of the growing regenerative collaborations and economies everywhere.

We talked for nearly two hours, having given this the time it needed. So there’ll be an extra to this episode released next week too, with this natural, wise and generous guide to the Martuwarra.

This conversation was recorded on Natalie’s Country by the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, just outside of Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia, on 24 September 2021.

Title slide: The view of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River from Nat’s place (pic: Anthony James). You'll see some more pics on the episode website too.

Music:
Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the new film Regenerating Australia, screening around the country now.

You Shine, by Tura Music.

Find more:
Tune into the extra to this episode, On the banks of the Martuwarra

Environs Kimberley (where Nat is now Chair).

Indigenous Literacy Foundation shop.

The Guardian article featuring Natalie and her short clip in the award-winning documentary series, Voices of the River.

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