Following a recent trip through the Northern Basin, spanning Toowoomba to Lightning Ridge, One Basin CRC’s First Nations Engagement Lead Geoff Reid penned some reflections on the importance of water to First Nation’s communities whose lives and wellbeing are intertwined with the rivers. After meeting with Land Councils, Traditional Owners, and local mob, he heard that water holds different meanings for different people, shaped by culture, place, and lived experience.

By Geoff Reid, First Nations Engagement Lead, One Basin CRC

What does water mean to people? You’d have to believe it holds different meanings for different people, shaped by culture, place, and lived experience.

In the last week of June, Troy* and I travelled west from Toowoomba on the edge of the Murray–Darling Basin, through Goondiwindi to Mungindi, and then across to Lightning Ridge via Collarenebri. On the return journey, we passed through Hebel, Dirranbandi, St George, and Mooney.

Along the way, we sat with Land Councils, yarned with Traditional Owners and local mob, some whose lives are woven into the rivers that flow through their Country, and others who live at a distance from the water but remain deeply connected.

What became clear is that water is far more than a resource. For many, it’s identity. It’s memory. It’s survival. And it flows not just through Country, but through story, culture, and spirit.

Some of the things we heard:

• Safe drinking water is a universal need so why do some not have it, even when they live on the river. Are crops more important than our people?
• Our Totems are so critical to the health of Country and our people these include birds and fish which rely on water. If they are removed what happens to Country and all the industries which benefit from it? Can’t look at water in one dimension.
• When looking for remnant Native Grains you can search near a water source such as a billabong or wetland as these can’t be cultivated and our grains are often intact. You can also look out for Emu’s, often Native Grains are not too far away from where you spot them.
• Our Lores often focus on water hence the strong sacred, spiritual connection – lots of birthing sites for our Ancestors were near water, that’s where we come from.
• Healthy clean water is our medicine, it is to make us healthy not sick.
• Having access to water sources enables our Culture to live on in future generation and provides us with what we need including employment opportunities.
• Rivers are to run free not to be controlled and abused.

So what does water mean to you?

Would you swim or drink the water in a river or creek near you? If not why not?

*Professor Troy Meston is One Basin CRC’s First Nations Research Lead.  

To learn more about our First Nations programs, cultural training, events and best practice engagements, please visit https://onebasin.com.au/first-nations/. To find out more about Geoff’s Online Yarning Circle, for staff who are representing First Nations in their professional roles, please visit https://onebasin.com.au/engagement/yarning-circle/