Dr Anne Poelina’s Vision

I think of this ‘Dream’ or ‘Visioning’ from the perspective I am a Nyikina Warrwa Traditional Custodian from the Kimberley region of Australia.  When I introduce myself, I say ‘ngayoo yimardoowarra marnin’ which means I belong to the Mardoowarra, the mighty Fitzroy River. I am duty bound to protect the Mardoowarra’s right to live and flow!  In my language we have a word Bookarrakarra, this is not the Dreamtime, but rather the Dreaming Time.  A concept of fusing time from the past, into the present with the future being now in which we must act, with wisdom and humility. This is important to Dream and Reclaim and Reframe the meaning of life?

I believe, human and non-human beings have an equal right to life and that the meaning of life is inter-dependent on all things. Most importantly a deep and continuing respectful inter-generational relationship of earth-centred governance inclusive of nonhuman beings with ‘our collective commons, Mother Earth’.  The meaning of life hangs in the balance of co-existence between all life.   This balance and harmony with our living cultural landscapes is grounded in the values and ethics and the belief that the law is in the land it is not in man! Importantly that we need to govern and manage the ‘commons’ for the greater common good. The meaning of life is facing great uncertainty we appear to be moving from climate change to climate chaos. 
I believe if we are to halt being swallowed up by a new dark age, we must maintain the resilience of our lives by strengthening our deep relationship by falling in love again with ‘our commons’. Without an earth-centred governance approach to appreciate and value life and multi-species justice, we as human will not be able to sustain our humanity and the meaning of life in co-existence and harmony with our planet Mother Earth! It is time to bring in the ancient wisdom and First Laws to Dream a new Dream!

How to Share the Dream with Dr Poelina
Website:  https://majala.com.au/anne-poelina
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6461-7681

To contact the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council please contact@martuwarrafitzroyriver.org

• Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council website – https://www.martuwarrafitzroyriver.org
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• Martuwarra Fitzroy River Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/martuwarra