This is a very special episode, a live conversation event with Nyikina Warrwa elder, Dr Anne Poelina. We last spoke on the podcast for episode 84 back in May, on the launch of Regenerative Songlines Australia, and resolved to catch up on her Country here in the Kimberley later in the year. We ended up doing that at this live event I was honoured to host the Q&A for - a screening of the film we also talked about in May, The Serpent’s Tale.

The film features the story of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, its ancient Country, its First Peoples, its First Law, its need for recognition and protection, and its abundant opportunities for new economies, and as Anne puts it, the overarching need for sustainable lifeways on Country for Aboriginal people.

I wasn’t sure if this would turn into a podcast episode. But when the previous episode with Alessandro Pelizzon revealed such profound and significant global implications stemming from Anne’s work and what’s happening here, it had to be. All the more, given the quality and consequence of the dialogue that night.

Given, then, that this is in addition to the usual weekly releases, I initially thought I’d produce a shorter summary version of the conversation. I did edit it down a little, partly due to sound issues, but the conversation gets more profound as it goes, and it’s so connected and applicable to dialogue happening right around this country and elsewhere. We’re so in this together.

More on Anne: Anne is Chair of the esteemed Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council, an international award winner, has multiple postgraduate degrees, and over 30 years’ experience in Indigenous health, education, language and community development.

This episode was recorded live at the Sporties in Derby, on Nyikina Country, 9 October 2021.

With thanks to the Red Shed Derby Women’s Collective, Harry Jakamarra & 6DBY Larrkardi Radio.

CORRECTION: Where Anne talks about the sacred site on her country as being 100 million years old, she later corrected this – it’s a ridge that is 20 million years old, on bedrock that is 200 million years old.

Title slide: Dr Anne Poelina, live on the night (pic: Chris Lean). See more photos on the episode website.

Music:
River Feeling, at the top, & Liyan at the end, both by Anne’s son Mark Coles-Smith, composing as Kalaji (joined in Liyan by Ursula Yovich).

Find more:
Dr Anne Poelina.

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Pre-roll music: Heartland Rebel, by Steven Beddall (sourced from Artlist).

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