From now to 25 January we are honouring & celebrating our Protectors of Country.
Will you stand with us for 20 days?
On 26 January 2025, mob across this continent will mourn a day that signifies the start of an ongoing and brutal invasion of our nations. While that day is full of sorrow and reflection, we will also be honouring Country and our rights as Law keepers of Country.
For these 20 days, join us to actively honour and celebrate our cultural obligations to protect Country, heal Country and share knowledge and spirit for our future generations.
What’s happening on your Country? Let’s tell each other our success stories to encourage and inspire mob here in Lutruwita, across the continent and around the world.
It’s so easy to get depressed at this time of year but, instead, bring good spirit and get active.
Friends, allies, supporters and co-conspirators, engage with our online content each day (6-25 Jan), learn about and amplify Blak voices on your social media platforms and have conversations with family, friends and colleagues.
Look out for daily updates here on our website and on Instagram and Facebook.
Tag us and use hashtags #tellthetruth #protectorsofcountry
A unified relationship, formed through deep time, exists between Palawa and Country. For thousands of generations our shared knowledge, that respects and values All-life, has nourished Country, people and culture.
Violent invasion by Britain and a brutal ongoing colonial settlement project constantly tears at this relationship and threatens to rip it apart forever. However, just as the strength of the string woven from the grasses of Country, this connection cannot and will not be broken.
It took from 1803 until 1995 – a long hard fight – for some of our land (only 0.3% of Lutruwita) to finally be returned, and in an appalling state. Since then we have had some freedoms to heal our Country and people.
Palawa rangers across Lutruwita, including Tayaritja/Bass Strait Islands, are managing these returned lands using cultural practices that have maintained the wellbeing of this place and our people through two ice ages.
The impacts of agriculture, industry, neglect and extreme weather events make Country sick. After more than 20 years of hard work, cultural care and community dedication, some of these lands are finally returning to health under the expertise of our rangers and cultural knowledge keepers.
The results of Palawa-led projects, such as rehabilitation of Lungtalanana, speak for themselves and so much more can be done to heal our islands for the benefit of all who live here.
Support Pakana and Truwana Rangers, and the return of land without government interference, through givinglandback.org.
“If you look at Aboriginal society, the well-being of the land and Country is essential to the wellbeing of people... Even if we’re not aware of it, that actually underpins our existence. We need to put those values back at the forefront of our decision-making about how we live – about the projects we do, about how we develop. Putting those values back will bring us back to a deeper understanding, which is essential to our long-term future. We meed to protect wayalinah by caring more for the Country they are in.”
