♦ Budgeram means story in Bundjalung language.
Belle Arnold
There was a time when humans were content with living in harmony with nature, our struggles were elemental and intricately connected to our survival.
We could not count the stars in the sky or the leaves on the tree, yet we understood the way they moved in relation to us and the natural world around us. Our connection to the natural world was essential, and multi-faceted, we understood the connection between flowers and migration and the cycles in the sky country.
Every living thing is connected, and in Aboriginal culture related through totemic and kinship connections.
Now, in a time of unprecedented luxury and abundance, humanity faces a tidal wave of mental unwellness. Humans have unravelled the mysteries, counted all the leaves and stars and named ourselves masters over the natural world.
Destroying the magic of the natural world
We have destroyed the magic of the natural world and created new myths – like Santa, to give us something to believe in. I know many people participate in the Christmas season out of the necessity to have something special in contemporary culture, some ritual or magic that gives our lives some purpose or meaning. It’s time that we reclaim this in a way that isn’t more excessive consumption.
Our obsession with consumption has hit the tipping point and unless we find a new way to fill our eternal void of need our planet will be uninhabitable. We all know this. Yet we continue to participate in this race of mass consumption, as we watch our mental health, and the mental health of those around us decline. Is it possible there is a link?
Living in harmony with earth country and sky country
For more than 60,000 years Aboriginal people living in harmony with earth country and sky country, observed an intricate balance, a deep respect and understanding of the world around us and our place in it. We took only what we needed, shared with our families and communities and were responsible for the other living creatures we co-existed with.
The recent deluge of rain was a reminder of the fragility of this balance and the potential for catastrophe when this balance is not maintained.
Scientists describe the effects of La Niña and El Nino which are evident in the ongoing extreme weather incidents that have become more common, due to the effects of global warming. Indigenous peoples world-wide have been warning of this for decades.
As a young activist I was driven to create change, to protect the planet from the onslaught of environmental devastation – I remember clearly a wise old aunty saying to me ‘bub – the mother will speak for herself’. Unfortunately, it feels like we have reached that point – where the voices of all the custodians have been ignored and the earth is now speaking for herself.
Recent storm events
I was devastated to read Nickolla Clark’s account of the damage to the midden system in Byron Bay due to the recent storm events.
Byron Shire, like most of Australia, is rich with cultural heritage and sites from when life had a deeper connection to the natural world. Most Byron residents would be aware of the tireless efforts of the Bundjalung people, including the locals Arakwal people, in protecting country and preserving these sites, and stories of a time when humans worked to preserve a balance between anthropogenic mass and biomass, between earth and sky country.
Our society’s current obsession with consumption has brought a new wave of dispossession as the cost of living here is far out of reach for most people, and yet the spirit of country is what people are attracted to. It’s time to place greater value on survival and the balance of the natural world. Respect the custodians who have cared for country for so long, starting right here in Byron Bay.
Author
Belle Arnold is a local dubay of Wakka Wakka descent. ‘Living off country I pay my respect to the Arakwal people and the wider Bundjalung people of this land,’ says Belle.
Belle has worked in community for 15 years, Belle is an artist, dancer and weaver working across many other mediums. Belle is passionate about community and has committed to empowering women and young people through cultural practice. She has worked in government, arts and community organisation to advocate for improved access to land, culture and services. Belle is currently employed at Desert Pea Media as the Projects Manager.
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There was a time before the slaughter of Aborigines and the bloodletting
and the decimation of the tribes, the humen psyche then was content to live with nature and its laws
But then along came Santa Claus and he told us how to live in his presence without a Voice in parliament.
This is a great viewpoint and credible argument given the greed exhibited by humans in control. Many, many kind and loving people are willing to forego the material excess and decadence that we are told we want my media and marketing manipulaters. If “they” were like “us” things would be very different. The point to remember is that “they” will never turn back from the “false knowledge” ruining our beautiful earthly home. Divine intervention will be the only thing that can make a change needed. Sad but true.