Q&A

What does Country mean to you?

Country is everything to the Aboriginal people of Western Australia. Personally, to me, it's a way I can connect with my ancestors and in particular, my great grandmother. When I work at El Questro and I work on Country, I remember where I am, I stand at the ranges with my great grandmother and my family before her - who looked at these ranges and who were by these waterholes and these rivers. I reflect and I think to myself, what an honour and privilege it is to come from the oldest, continuing living culture in the world.

My ancestors have been walking on this Country for a very long time and feeling and immersing themselves in Country. That's quite important to who we are as West Australians. We should be immersing ourselves and experiencing Western Australia in its true authenticity. It’s an amazing place to feel and to be on Country. Quite literally, you are walking on a dream in Western Australia. It's an amazing place to visit, to see, to experience. And it goes back to the simple thing as going barefoot, or taking your Akubra out on Country and walking the Country. As Aboriginal people we want to share Country with everybody. We want to show off Country, too, because it's an amazing place. We want our visitors to experience Country, to be here on Country, to be immersed in Country and to really feel what it's like walking on a dream.

Is there a story that guides your travels?

It’s the story of my grandmother, who is an amazing lady. She lived an incredible life, and wherever I go, I think about my grandmother, where she was born, and how far she's come. From being a Bush woman, literally born under a boab tree - which doesn't get much more Kimberley than that - to living a wonderful life and caring for people. Right through to the work she's done representing Aboriginal people across the Kimberley and the state. My grandmother is a very powerful woman, and she raised me to be a powerful man, so I always think about her wherever I go.

I'm fortunate to speak my language and tell the stories I was told as a young fella, passed down for generations. It’s in the blood that I continue to travel everywhere. I think about my ancestors who walked across our Aboriginal Country on the Gibb River Road - I bring that into my work today. I get to travel Australia, particularly Western Australia, and it's an amazing place to live, learn, grow, and travel. You can go from one end to the next and see something different. In the East Kimberley, you've got 1.8-billion-year-old rocks - the third oldest in the world; to the West Kimberley, to Cable Beach, which is pristine and world-renowned. It's amazing Western Australia offers that. What a wonderful place to come from.

Where is one place in Western Australia where you feel most connected to Country?

Definitely El Questo Wilderness Park in the East Kimberley. El Questro, or Marlabu is quite a special place to our family. My great great grandmother was born on the Chamberlain River, and as I go up that river, I talk to my great great grandmother in my language. I think about all the people that have come from that area. I'm so honoured to live there, to be present, on Country, talking to Country, learning on Country, and just seeing how beautiful that place is as well. We talk about the ranges and how old they are geologically, but how old the stories are to us, as Aboriginal people, the stories that have been told in that area … so I feel most at home, most definitely, at El Questro.

Pigeon Hole at El Questro is my favourite lookout spot. It’s an amazing place to really feel what it is to be on Country, to be away from the bustling cities and to experience the wind, the air traveling over the range It’s an amazing place to visit and to see the rocks and golden hour… pretty incredible sight.

How do you hope visitors connect to Country when they're in the area?

I hope our visitors to Western Australia can get involved by visiting our local tourism operators. There's so much to Western Australia. Aboriginal tourism operators can offer something much more, and to feel Country with you and to hear the stories of how many thousands of generations that have lived on this beautiful land.

Is there a way people can physically connect to Country?

I like to say being barefoot is that way of connecting. There's something about stepping on spinifex, hot sand, and rusty old ranges that doesn't feel the same with shoes on. It builds your feet. It builds confidence over time. It's a different feeling you can't quite get when your feet are covered. You feel a lot, and it goes right through your body. From the splinters in your feet - that's a physical way - but it's a way that spiritually connects you as well, even the waters. And if you forget your shoes, don't worry - I just go barefoot. It's a beautiful way of connecting to Country, and feeling it is so important.

What do you think of your fellow Dreamers?

They’re quite a spectacular group of people who really want to show off what it means to be a West Australian, and what it means to experience Western Australia.  It's truly a remarkable place, and I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable people.