Save Our Songlines

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners, please be advised that this program includes references to state violence and colonisation. If you need to talk to someone about the issues covered in the program you can contact: 13 YARN (13 92 76) which is a dedicated 24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Lifeline 13 11 17On this week’s episode we speak to Raelene Cooper, Mardudhunera Traditional Owner from the Mardudhunera coast line and in-land areas. Raelene is the former chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, and is one of the leaders of the Save Our Songlines campaign, which fights to protect Murujuga Country also known as the Burrup Peninsula in so-called Western Australia from destruction and desecration. The Murujuga petroglyphs are a sacred part of culture and Ngurra (Country) and the rock art is more than 40 000 years old, and contains important cultural and spiritual knowledge.In this conversation, Raelene speaks about the significance of Murujuga Country; the impact that over-development and seismic blasting are having on wildlife, Aboriginal culture and the climate; fighting both governments and industry, as well as her recent appearance at a public hearing for the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee inquiry into the Protecting the Spirit of Sea Country Bill.