Cultural Burning & Learning on Country

During June, NACC NRM’s Aboriginal Custodianship Team supported Badimia Bandi Barna Aboriginal Corporation and Firesticks Alliance in conducting a Cultural Burning and Learning on Country Event at Ninghan Station.
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Badimia Bandi Barna Aboriginal Corporation (BBBAC) and members of the Firesticks Alliance from Kaurna Country (Adelaide) have recently come together for a powerful gathering. This event provided knowledge-sharing, connection to Country, and community collaboration. The purpose was centred on Cultural Burning, with all partners seeking to learn on Country.

The event took place on Badimia Barna (Country) at the Ninghan Indigenous Protected Area and Ninghan Station more broadly. The NACC NRM team, Mid West Aboriginal Rangers, and other stakeholders had the honour to walk alongside Elders, knowledge holders, and First Nations community members for three days of impactful learning, cultural exchange, and Barna experience.

The first day began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country at Ninghan, followed by a Smoking Ceremony led by Badimia Elder Gloria Fogarty. The smoke carried deep cultural significance, cleansing and preparing everyone spiritually for the days ahead. Following this, Badimia Elders generously shared the history of the Badimia People, providing invaluable insight into their connection to Barna and culture.

On the second day, the Firestick Alliance took the lead, offering rich insights into their cultural fire journey. Coming from Kaurna Country, they shared how they plan and conduct cool burns in their home landscapes. The implementation of practices informed by cultural knowledge, ecological understanding, and community engagement. Their session was a masterclass in cultural fire knowledge, combining traditional techniques with contemporary frameworks to ensure fire is returned to Country in a safe, respectful and effective way.

The final day began with a shared BBQ breakfast, bringing everyone together. There was a feeling of gratitude amongst the attendees, thanking BBBAC, Badimia Elders, and Firesticks Alliance for their leadership, generosity, and knowledge sharing. Gifts were exchanged between groups, a gesture of mutual respect and appreciation.

The day concluded with Firesticks Alliance working closely with the Midwest Aboriginal Ranger group and Badimia Elders, guiding them through the planning and implementation of a Cultural Burn. This final session tied together all the learnings from previous days, reinforcing that cultural fire is more than a tool-it’s a living practice of care, for Country, culture and community.

This event stood as a meaningful step toward revitalising cultural fire practices, building relationships between communities and deepening understanding of how to work with fire as a healing force. NACC NRM extends our deepest thanks to BBBAC, Firesticks Alliance, and all who attended and contributed.

This project is jointly funding from the Australian Governments National Indigenous Australians Agency, NACC NRM, Beach Energy, and Mitsui E&P Australia.

Kyiesha Ronan – Aboriginal Custodianship Project Officer

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