Since 2023 we have been working with fire rangers of Barengi Gadjin Land Council exploring the use of cool cultural burning in the Black Range each year. We are looking to expand our capacity to monitor the effects of cool fire on stimulating indigenous plant species, increasing habitat, and reducing invasive plant species re-seeding.
A short documentary film about this work, by filmaker Tracey Rigney due for completion in late 2026, aims to encourage young mob to be curious about working on Country with fire.
‘Reading Fire Country’ aims to support us learning about the enduring deep connection of custodianship responsibilities that Traditional Owners hold, to appreciate the unceded sovereignty of land that First People’s hold, and to explore how our own stewardship responsibility to land may be held.
We will endeavour to understand fire from different ways of knowing and experiencing. We will explore resources in print, audio podcast, and online video, alongside walking areas of the Range to consider in relation to fire. Each session offers resources to explore as much as you like before we gather.
We imagine a process of moving our attention back and forth between the particulars of Black Range, and broader contexts that support big-picture long-view understanding. Through each taking responsibility for self-education, hopefully we develop more confidence in reading and working with fire, reading indicators of the health of Black Range Country, and working together in respectful partnership with Traditional Owners and their cultural knowledge and intellectual property.
Convenors: Fernanda & Mick
Reading Fire Country #3 - Sat 20th June 2026, 2pm - 4pm, eastern Black Range
A group gathered to walk and talk through observations of an area of recent cool burning, followed by afternoon tea around a fire to have a yack about:
> thinking through the role of fire as a land management tool, and tests in Black Range (see resources below);
> a ‘fire response monitoring’ possible research project to propose to university research students to undertake in partnership with us;
> our Group’s approach to Traditional Owners.
Check out the following resources:
1. Film (24mins). Fire: DCCEEW First Nations climate change series, episode 2
2. Submission re Cultural Burning to Royal Commision into National Natural DIsasater Arrangements
Sat 17 May 2025, 3pm - 5.30pm
Walking an area of recent cool Cultural Burning, discuss recent fire research over afternoon tea around a fire, maybe end with a drink.
Three landholders will share reflections on recent publications on fire and climate change, to invite discussion on the prospects of fire and future in the Black Range.
Read one of the below publications yourself if you fancy, or maybe bring a preferably unburnt cake, or just dodge the hot coals.
Some of the readings to be discussed include:
Sunday 14 July 2024, 11am - 2pm
Walking an area of recent cool Cultural Burning and discussion over lunch around a fire.
Explore whichever resources below take your interest, and come along to discuss!
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If we want to learn about the Traditional Owners of Black Range, the published ‘Country Plans’ of Eastern Marr and Barengi Gadjin provide a comprehensive and accessible starting point, written by and for Traditional Owners.
Barengi Gadjin Land Council ‘Country Plan’ (2016)
Eastern Marr Aboriginal Corporation ‘Meerreengeeye Ngakeepoorryeeyt - our Country Plan’, 2015.
Victor Steffensen has become well known in recent years for rejuvenating interest in cool Cultural Burning. He is an engaging storyteller. In this entertaining and informative podcast interview, he tells of his learning with fire and its long time importance in Indigenous cultural relationships of Country.
Victor Steffensen, The Turning Point, 100 Climate Conversations (Video / Audio)
Relationships of non-Indigenous and Indigenous are complex. This 2-pager from Amnesty International invites self-reflection.
Amnesty International, 10 Ways to be a Genuine Ally to Indigenous Communities
Click here to see our small library of books available for loan on topics including fire ecology, plant indicators and cultural land management.
