Karla Katitjin Bullargar Walluk Yong-a Gathering 2024: ‘Together we share fire knowledge’

In September, the DFES Bushfire Centre of Excellence’s (BCoE) Cultural Fire Program hosted a three-day Gathering, bringing together Nyungar Elders, Traditional Knowledge Holders, Traditional Custodians and First Nation Australians to hold conversations around Karla (fire) and Boodja (Country).

The Gathering provided participants with an opportunity to network, discuss key fire management topics, share knowledge about cultural burning and discuss the importance of it to First Nations People and their communities.

The Gathering began with a networking dinner, enabling participants and guests to forge new relationships and reconnect with each other in an informal atmosphere.

Nana Ivy Bennell welcomed attendees to Country and Theo Kearing along with the Bindjareb Middars Performance Group showcased Bindjareb language, song and dance.

Oral McGuire, a proud Nyungar Leader and nationally recognised for his work in traditional land and fire management, embraced the role of moderator and introduced the Gathering program.

Rural Fire Division Executive Director Murray Carter and BCoE Chief Superintendent John Tillman AFSM acknowledged the participation of people at the Gathering, reinforcing the commitment of the Cultural Fire Program in supporting culturally safe and respectful collaboration.

Throughout dinner, participants were asked to reflect and share their expectations for the event, resulting in the formation of a word cloud, a visual representation of what was expected from the Gathering.

The next day at the BCoE, the formal program commenced with a water ceremony to ensure the safe passage of visitors on Bindjareb Country. This was followed by a tour of the facility and an overview of the Cultural Fire Program’s purpose and key objectives.

Oral McGuire facilitated a session to explore the key messages that informed the Gathering’s foundation, yielding a thought-provoking yarn underpinned by open and honest participant contributions.

The Gathering then moved to Bindjareb Park to undertake burning activities. This sparked plenty of yarning and a ‘whole of community’ atmosphere with multiple generations participating. Karrie-Anne Kearing and Theo Kearing shared their Bindjareb story with the Gathering participants and explained the burning practices being conducted at Bindjareb Park in recent years.

They also observed traditional cultural methods in action using Balga, Zamia fur and friction to create an ember to start a fire. 

The burn served as an excellent platform for participants to share knowledge with one another, with conversations continuing over dinner that evening.  

On the last day of the Gathering, Oral McGuire led a yarn focusing on contemporary challenges and solutions to Nyungar organisations involved in cultural burning.

Rob and Zoe Davis from As One Nyitting generously shared their knowledge on Caring for Country, while Heidi Mippi shared the story about the Australian Research Centre (ARC) Training Centre for Healthy Country.

In accordance with cultural protocols, each participating organisation was presented with a gift from Bindjareb Traditional Custodians, Karla Katitjin Trainees, and the BCoE Cultural Fire Program Team. These gifts symbolise our intent to keep the fire alive. Each kit contained items culturally used by Nyungar people to ignite fires on Country including Balga stalks, a Banksia cone, Balga resin and Zamia Palm fur.  

The Gathering was a resounding success, strengthening relationships between Nyungar cultural burning practitioners. The exchange of knowledge and experiences significantly enhanced the capability for cultural burning.  

The Cultural Fire Program looks forward to continuing building relationships with Nyungar organisations and supporting similar events in the future.

For further information, email bushfirecoe@dfes.wa.gov.au