Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1st may 2010 ‘Redstone Statement’ in which it is stated:
“… All governments, communities, leaders, individuals, industries, and corporations must immediately act together to restore the balance that is essential for continued existence. We call for a review of existing commercial practices and an end to any further non-sustainable exploitation and degradation of natural resources- for all generations to come. We also call for a portion of profits to be invested in the development of renewable energy resources. We as Indigenous environmental philosophers breathe life into this statement and commit to implementing the provisions contained in it.”
Download the Redstone Statement [ PDF 90KB ]
"...My Indigenous heritage is Nyikina; ‘ngajanoo Yimardoowarra marnil’, in my language means “a woman who belongs to our sacred river”, which centres me as property and a guardian of the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River). My career has focused on Indigenous health and wellbeing development using human, Indigenous rights and environmental justice." - download the full article here
"...Kimberley Traditional Owners will meet with State Government representatives in Perth today during the first ever gathering of the newly formed Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. The Aboriginal body will urge government and industry to support the council as the new Traditional Owner representative group for management of the Fitzroy River and its catchment." - Read more of this in the KLC website
In 1983 Lucy Marshall OAM resident of Pandanus Park near Broome in Western Australia participated in the Seaman Aboriginal Land Rights Inquiry.
A letter was sent to Mr. Paul Seaman Qc. who was conducting an inquiry at the time into the conditions and challenges faced by Aboriginal people. A second letter was sent on the 24th August 1983 to clarify points made in the original letter regarding the Pandanus Park community.
The first letter is now available here - Seaman Inquiry Lucy Marshall Letter 1 [ PDF 7.3 MB ]
In July 2022 Professor Stephen Muecke and his doctoral Research Assistant, Jennifer Eadie from the University of Notre Dame, spent time on the River Country with members of Yurmulun (Pandanus Park) and Balginjirr communities to conduct the Feasibility Study of the Martuwarra Walking Track.
The Martuwarra Fitzroy River is Western Australia’s largest River and largest listed Aboriginal cultural heritage site. It has been cared for by First Law and Indigenous land management practices for millennia. Over the last 150 years, it has experienced multi-scalar damage from agriculture, mining and invasive species. Interventive measures are now required to improve the health of the River and the communities that live along it’s banks.
A submission to the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples on: Indigenous Women and the Development, Application, Preservation and Transmission of Scientific Knowledge available at Figshare
Professor Anne Poelina, Dr Magali McDuffie and Dr Alexander Hayes have completed and lodged a submission to the United Nations Human Rights 'Special Procedures', Indigenous Peoples and Civil Society, attention of the Special Rappoteur on toxics and human rights.
