Mindy Woods – Bundjalung woman and owner of Karkalla Café on the handback of Banyam Baigham
Image: Kim Honan
Just a couple of days after NAIDOC Week 2021 concluded Lismore City Council voted to return Banyam Baigham or ‘sleeping lizard’ back to the local traditional custodians – the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation.
We’ve seen the sleeping lizard many times when paddling the local waterways or gazing out across from the hills of East Lismore. Known in English as the North Lismore Plateau, this area of land holds particular significance for local Indigenous people.
Banyam Baigham had been slated for development for years and the hand back is a significant development for local native title claims. The original Native Title claim was lodged in 2013 by the local mob and has recognised the long standing connection of traditional custodians to that land. The motion was moved by Lismore City Mayor Vanessa Ekins and was supported by all but one of the local councillors.
At that historic council meeting a local Bundjalung woman named Mindy Woods was among those who spoke. Asked by her family to speak at the meeting, she noted the importance of this site among a wider network of sacred sites throughout the Northern Rivers.
“This land is steeped in our history, our culture, our spirituality and our existence”
We contacted Mindy to see if she’d be keen to answer some questions via email and she gladly obliged. We spoke about Bundjalung Country, echidnas and the future preservation and conservation of sacred sites across the region. Here’s what she had to say…
Jingy Wallah, Nanyani Mindy Woods.
I am a proud Bundjulung dubai (woman) of the widjabul- wia bul clan. I am a direct descendant of King Jack Kapeen.
Today I speak on behalf of this bloodline, which is inherently and intrinsically linked to the Bundjalung country we stand on and to Banyam Baigham North Lismore Plateau.
I also speak on behalf of my Aunty Ross Sten as the acknowledged elder of our family and blood line.
I would like to express my acknowledgement and respect for my ancestors, the traditional custodians of this land we stand on today and our elders, past , present and emerging.
Booglebah- thank you for the opportunity to speak with Revive The Northern Rivers.
Hi Mindy! Thanks for taking the time to speak to us. To kick things off – what does Bundjalung Country mean to you?
Bundjalung means one country, one people, one mob,. Bundjalung country is an ancient and sacred land with a very rich cultural and spiritual history. We are all so lucky and blessed to live on Bundjalung country.
What are some of your favourite Bundjalung words, phrases or expressions?
“Ngulliboo muggi” means “all of us strong”. It reminds me not only of our people's strength but also their resilience, the strength and resilience of our Northern Rivers Community.
Recently Lismore City Council voted to handback Banyam Baigham (The Sleeping Lizard, located on the North Lismore Plateau) back to the Traditional Custodians – the Widjabal Wia-bal people. Why was this so important?
This land is ancient and sacred. Banyam Baigham has a deep connection to our people and holds some of the most significant and sacred sites of the greater Bundjalung nation. This land and its surroundings form part of our creation and dreaming. The stories, beliefs and culture practiced in this country go back thousands of years.
What was the process like in trying to get the site protected?
The process of gaining recognition and protections of this land has been incredibly difficult, emotionally and spiritually draining on our elders. Our old people have been actively fighting for recognition and protection of this site for over twenty years.
I was fortunate to be invited by my Aunty Ross Sten Bundjalung Elder and spokeswoman of our bloodline to help in the final stages of our request for Banyam Baighams protection but it was our elders who have carried the weight of this battle for many, many years.
Banyam Baigham. Image from Our Way Stories
Who’s looking after Banyam Baigham now? Are there any plans for the future management of the site?
The Lismore Council continues to be caretakers of Banyam Baugham at this time until a formal handing over of the site occurs. Our hope is that the land is returned to the Bundjalung Elders council who represent the traditional custodians of this site, the Widjabul Wia bul clan.
Our elders' wishes are to revive our culture, teach traditional language, practices, and lore to the younger generations. They want to share and connect both indigenous and non-indigeouns people to this special place.
They hope to lead the development of economic, cultural and social opportunities to better the lives of the people of the Bundjalung Nation.
This will provide significant opportunities for greater self-determination of our people.
Are there any tales you can share with us about Banyam Baigham?
As Widjabul Wiabul people, Banyan Baigham is steeped in our history, our culture, our spirituality and our very existence. Our traditional stories and dreaming are passed on through oral traditions and my elders still prefer that they are passed on and shared in this way.
We look forward to the time we can welcome people to Banyam Baigham and share our stories and traditions with the greater community.
In your address at the council meeting you were quoted as saying “One area is not exchangeable for another, unlike those of Western land systems.” We’ve been thinking a lot about land tenure and cultural sites – do you think we can get to a point where sacred sites can be seen to have the same importance as private property rights in Australia?
This is a very complex idea to explore. I'm not sure there is a short answer to this question!
In short, yes, at the very least sacred sites should be seen to have the same importance as private property rights within Australia.
Indigenous sacred sites should be seen to have the same importance and sacredness as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Boudhanath in Nepal, Cenote Sagrado in Mexico or the Sistine Chapel in Italy. These are all spiritual destinations that command our respect and appreciation despite what faith or belief we hold.
Indigenous sacred sites are places of reverence and are deeply connected with our history, culture and spiritually. They should be offered the same acknowledgement, respect, appreciation and protections as other international sacred sites.
To be valued the same and to be provided the same importance as private property. however would infer ownership. In traditional belief systems, there is no emphasis on the importance of ‘ownership’ . We do not ‘own’ Country, we belong to Country, and in that way are custodians responsible for its management and care.
Protecting sacred sites is not just for indigenous Australians, it is for the preservation and conservation of these places for all Australians and all future generations.
Are there other sites that need special protection?
As indigenous people we have a reciprocal relationship with and responsibilities to Country and have an important responsibility to look after and protect all Country.
There are many sacred sites throughout Australia and our region that need protection. Middens, bora rings, women’s and men’s sacred areas, gathering and ceremonial sites, our rivers, waterfalls and ocean. It’s also important to recognise our native food sources need protecting.
People can often feel powerless and unable to help in the protection of our country and culture. But the very first step is to acknowledge the country you live on. What is its traditional name? Who were the traditional owners and what language did or do they speak? What are the traditional food landscapes of this area, what native foods once or still do grow there?
It’s a wonderful way to connect with a country and respect its traditional owners.
What’s your favourite Northern Rivers species?
One of my many favourite species is the Echidna. The Echidna is one of my spirit animals or sacred totems passed down through my mothers and grandmother's line.
The echidna also has special significance at Banyam Biagham. They are unique, wise, instinctive and protective.
What does a “revived” Northern Rivers look like to you?
A ‘revived’ Northern Rivers to me is a place of happy existence, it's the ultimate Australian region in which no-one is out of place and all are equal.
One in which we realise that we are all here for just a moment in time and it is our responsibility to take care of and protect country.
RTNR supports traditional owners and their custodianship of lands in the Northern Rivers region. We think it will play a big part in the revival.