Menang Noongar families partner with Shire of Denmark to hold cultural burn near Wilson Inlet

A cultural burn was held near the shores of the Wilson Inlet under a new partnership to merge Noongar cultural burning principles with Western fire practices to reduce the risk of bushfires in the Shire of Denmark. Seven Noongar families, Elders, Binalup rangers and representatives from the shire, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, UWA and local bushfire brigades worked together on trialing the burn, which was held on Tuesday. It was led by Menang Noongar elder Carol Petterson, who ensured cultural knowledge was being incorporated into the burn. She said Tuesday’s trial was a success. “I see this as an opportunity for a two-way learning,” Ms Petterson said. “Listening to the old cultural ways of doing things which were in practice for thousands of years and looking at how western science is used today. “This collaboration is a blessing and a relief. “It’s important to work together in this changing landscape.” The burn was held on a small area of bush land about 10sqm. Shire president Ceinwen Gearon said although the area was small, it represented a significant step towards more collaboration between traditional custodians and authorities to reduce the risk of bushfires. Cr Gearon said she was proud the shire was setting an important precedent and hoped the collaborative effort would continue to grow. “Our community has a deep respect for the Menang and Bibbulmun Noongar people who have cared for this land we call home for tens of thousands of years,” she said. “We’re delighted to be working together, to witness that continuing tradition of caring for country and to do our part to reduce the risk of fire with the health of the environment as a top priority. “We hope to do more in the cultural burning space as part of our bushfire mitigation program and this trial was a key first step.” Traditional custodians and the shire will continue to work together on cultural burns to reduce fuel loads around Denmark.