The sacred fire is still burning, and we are still here.
We will not be denied. We continue to stand our ground.
I ask you to stand with us as we continue to stand our ground.
For over 500 days a sacred fire has been burning inside the ceremonial bora ring adjacent to Adani’s (aka Bravus) Carmichael Coalmine, maintained by the permanent presence of a Wangan and Jagalingou Nagana Yarrbayn Cultural Custodian. The ceremony being performed, Waddananggu, literally ‘the talking’ in the local Wirdi language, began as an act of resistance and reaffirmation of sovereignty on the Wangan and Jagalingou Country threatened by the mine. The site has since evolved into a community hub, which provides space for mob to share, transmit and reconnect to culture, and learn new skills. An open invitation exists for all to come and witness Waddananggu and stand in solidarity to protect human rights, culture, and Country.
Chances are you’re familiar with the widespread opposition to the Carmichael Coalmine, both locally and abroad. The project to mine thermal coal in the Galilee Basin, operated by the multinational company Adani (itself owned by the world’s third-wealthiest person), has drawn intense scrutiny for the severe threat the venture poses to the local environment, particularly at a time when future-focused energy discourse strongly favours cleaner methods of energy production. The mine has created new threats to large swathes of Country, while at the same time drastically exacerbating existing issues. From the dredging of over a million cubic metres of seafloor at our Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to make way for a coal terminal at Abbot Point – where in 2017 Adani exceeded its pollution limit by 800% after releasing heavily polluted water into the reef and surrounding wetlands – to leaking hydrocarbons into the groundwater of the Great Artesian Basin some 300kms inland, seriously endangering the environmentally and culturally significant Doongmabulla Springs. Toxic dust from the mine blankets the surrounding area, polluting land and water alike, interfering with cultural practice and poisoning traditional bush foods.
A series of desert oases, the springs at Doongmabulla are comprised of 160 separate wetlands, which are home to over 56 endemic species. They provide much needed respite for animals and people alike in an otherwise extremely dry environment, and are a reliable water source for communities and graziers during drought. Alarmingly, the potential impact of Adani’s activity around the springs is not well understood, with the CSIRO having raised major concerns about the mining company underestimating environmental impact in its water modelling. With an already observable and ‘significant’ drop in aquifer levels, there is concern that irreversible damage to the region has already been ‘locked in’.
The sacred Doongmabulla Springs are also home to the final resting place of Mundunjudra (the Rainbow Serpent) in Wangan and Jagalingou Dreaming.
"Our ancestral homelands are the locus of creation, our lives are enfolded into a sacred space. Our homelands have sustained our generations for millennia. They are the source of our cultural and religious practices as well as our economic livelihoods and our sovereignty. They are a unique cultural landscape, and we are the cultural custodians of the lands and waters..."
It is beyond foolish to squander the unparalleled knowledge and experience of a people who have lived in productive harmony with this land for tens of thousands of years, and surrender it to those who seek to profit through environmental exploitation and the wilfully negligent erasure of culture.
Those standing their ground in order to protect the region have mounted multiple legal challenges to prevent the mine from operating. Having endured amendments to native title law by the Federal Government in one instance, they had their native title rights extinguished by the State in another a couple of years later. Yet despite this, weaponised bankruptcy proceedings, confrontations with police, and rejected freedom of information requests, amongst a plethora of other things, the resistance continues, and large parts of Country remain protected. Wangan and Jagalingou Nagana Yarrbayn Cultural Custodians are currently relying on the creative use of human rights law as a shield against cynical opposition. Plans for another mine in the Galilee basin were recently blocked in court on the basis that human rights would be unjustifiably limited by the proposal, and that ‘the climate scenario consistent with a viable mine risks unacceptable climate change impacts to Queensland people and property, even taking into account the economic and social benefits of the Project.’ Although it might sound like those who oppose the mine are a small majority, the reality couldn’t be more contrary. Over 100 major companies so far have ruled out any potential involvement with the Carmichael Project, which has presented a range of issues for the project, including funding and insurance setbacks. A key issue that remains is the relative power and wealth imbalance that exists between those who would like to see the project proceed and everyone else. Here, we’ve been primarily concerned with the local impact of the venture, however there is evidence to suggest that the coal extracted from the mine is entrenching energy inequality and debt in Bangladesh, where energy is being bought for two and a half times more than what it can be sold for after wearing the transport costs of the coal from Australia via India.
"Now our goal is to turn Waddananggu into a permanent cultural reserve to protect totemic trees, animals, medicines, springs and cultural heritage. By contributing to our fight you are taking an active role and being part of a driving force that together makes real change in the protection of Country and the environment..."
We stand in solidarity with the Wangan and Jagalingou Nagana Yarrbayn Cultural Custodians as they fight to protect their history, their dreaming, and their Traditional Lands, now our home.
If you’re in a position to contribute and help keep the fire burning please consider doing so. Your donation will help to ensure they can continue to be present on, and speak for, Country and will send the message that protecting the sacred knowledge, culture and lands of Australia’s First Peoples is invaluable, particularly when compared to temporary profit.
Waddandanggu and the growing camp currently require several thousand dollars a month to maintain and to ensure the ongoing presence of a Culture Custodian in the ceremonial Bora ring. This includes providing protection against harsh conditions from scorching heat to flooding rains, and maintaining things like camping gear, vehicles, solar panels, and the communications tower, while ensuring food and medical supplies are always available. Funds also support the growing community hub where culture is both shared and produced. The camp is 100% volunteer run and funded through community donations. You can make one here.
Financial donations can also be made to their legal fund, and in-kind donations such as gift cards (for BCF, Woolies, Coles, Kmart, Bunnings etc.) can be sent to PO Box 347, Clermont QLD 4721.
This quarter, we were in a position to contribute $2,362.82 to help keep the sacred fire burning.
Links for further learning:
Traditional Owners Invite to Jagalingou County ↗︎
Declaration by the Wangan and Jagalingou (Nagana Yarrbayn) Custodians about the Carmichael Mine ↗︎
*Pure Community and Pure Finance have no direct affiliation with the organisations and causes listed above, we simply appreciate the work that they do, and choose to show our appreciation by supporting them.