27 HEALING SICK DJANDAK AT BUCKRABANYULE We did a Djandak Wi at Mount Buckrabanyule, northern Djandak, in May 2023 on property owned by Bush Heritage Australia who Dja Dja Wurrung Group partnered with on delivering the event. The crew are always keeping an eye on us, making sure everyone is safe and things go smoothly, but ready to act where something needs to be managed to protect everyone. Buckrabanyule is covered in invasive wheel cactus, which is a prickly problem that is extremely hard to deal with, all options are costly and with significant uncertainty around effectiveness, and it is a species that can spread prolifically through landscapes strangling biodiversity if left to dominate, as it has already done in a big way at this place. Djaara and Bush Heritage Australia are exploring and experimenting with a range of treatment options, including use of Cultural fire, with the hope to regenerate and restore native vegetation, and return good health and spirit to Djandak in the process, with Djaara in the landscape. Managing this place brings huge challenges in what will be most effective to heal, promote biodiversity, and protect significant Cultural Heritage. It’s an unfolding journey and we will do our best to heal Djandak with Galk-galk Dhelkunya (forest gardening) tools, carrying out our custodial responsibility to care for Djandak. Even though it is painful to see sick Djandak, we also feel proud in caring for it however we can, now and into the future. Since the Djandak Wi, the part we burnt on Djandak has really bounced back with bulbine lilies and a range of other native species returning. The day started with a Djaara Cultural fire practitioner talking about healing and returning spirit to the place and sharing about its Cultural significance and features. There was a discussion about the paradox of frustrations, challenges, and obstacles Djaara and other Traditional Owner mobs have in being supported and empowered to practice Culture through healing Djandak with wi, within postcolonial government and complex fire regulatory systems that can be hard to navigate. We talked about our struggles to return Djandak Wi to the landscape after Djaara having been excluded for many years prior, and about our aspirations for self-determination. We don’t always agree with each other on all the issues and their solutions, and things can get pretty lively in some of our yarns, but something that we do all share is a deep passion about caring for Djandak. This Djandak Wi gave an opportunity to wear comfortable clothes rather than heavy duty fire equipment that is required for some kinds of burning, and where families and community could gather in the communal area to eat from a delicious food truck, play, share stories, and enjoy the day. Being later in autumn, it was a low intensity burn with some more wind pick up and intensity at the top of the hill later in the afternoon. Children, families, and newcomers could also get closer to the fire and explore it, accompanied by more experienced Cultural fire practitioners so they would be, and feel, safe being coached by their community.
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