Djandak Wi Strategy - Dhelkunya Wi 2024 - 2034 RETURNING WI MURRUP AND SPECIES DOMINANCE RESET AT GUTJUN BULOK Our first Djandak Wi of Autumn 2023 was in early April at Gutjun Bulok (Tang Tang Swamp), northern Djandak. It was a day of quiet but excited anticipation. Recently, the team working on program development and fire delivery had expanded, and we’ve all been working hard preparing to deliver dhelkunya wi (healing fire) to Djandak. Our Martinga Guli go with us in all that we do. It was the first burn we had done for a while; we’d been training hard but were a little nervous, and lots of People from the Dja Dja Wurrung Group and partner agency staff from Forest Fire Management Victoria were new to meeting each other. The hordes of blow flies all around in the hot afternoon sun reminded us we were surrounded by livestock farms, and about to deliver Djandak Wi at a place of great significance for what little remains of biodiversity amidst fundamentally altered landscapes and waterways diverted for mass irrigation. Giving fire to Djandak was supposed to start during the day, but the Djaara mob had a sense that it wasn’t the right time to burn. We needed to wait until we could feel the temperature on our skin drop subtly, but sharply, as the sun got closer to sleeping. After taking a few drives around the site, checking on wind speed, checks on vehicles and equipment, and clearing fuels around a few lone trees like bull oak and river red gums, we gathered everyone together. One of the young, emergent Djaara Cultural fire leaders gave us a briefing on the plan for the Djandak Wi and invited discussion about some key species and animals, including snakes, legless lizards, and turtles. Djaara and other Traditional Owner mob there led the smoking ceremony for all present to participate in, to let our Martinga Guli know we were there, pay respects, and to cleanse and be in communal spirit together as we heal Djandak. The fire moved at a slow easy pace for the most part, and some of the more experienced fire practitioners buddied up to teach, support and
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