Djukun Nation is once again calling on the community and all levels of government to stop the proposed prospecting activity on Djukun Country, in the pristine area of Coconut Well and 12-Mile, north of Broome.

On 22nd March 2025 a critically endangered juvenile hawksbill turtle was discovered washed ashore on Cable Beach, Djukun Country, tragically found deceased with a fishing line wrapped around its neck.

The Djukun Nation is concerned following the exclusion of the Djukun from the newly launched Aarnja Foundation Future Fund and the associated Cultural Governance Model. This decision is deeply upsetting and has direct negative impacts on the Djukun Nation.

Aarnja’s Cultural Governance Model identifies regions of the Kimberley and the traditional owners who have a claim to the land within those regions. Under the ‘Dampier Peninsula/Western Kimberley’ region, several nations are identified, including Yawuru. Despite Yawuru and the Djukun being joint traditional custodians of Jirr-Ngin-Ngan (Broome), the Djukun are missing from the Model.

The Djukun Traditional Owners are continuing to voice their strong opposition to the $200 million floating jetty development, approved by the Yawuru Native Title Holders Aboriginal Corporation Prescribed Body Corporate (Yawuru PBC). The Yawuru PBC gave the government the greenlight without consulting the Djukun Nation, which serious concerns about transparency and cultural integrity.

Djukun Nation is calling on visitors to Jirr-ngin-ngan (Broome) to respect the natural landscape and refrain from stacking rocks on Djukun Country. While rock stacking may seem like a harmless activity or a creative expression, it is not a part of Djukun culture and disrupts the natural balance of Djukun Country.

Broome, Western Australia – Members of the Djukun Nation and Broome locals have raised serious concerns about the construction of the floating jetty on Yinarra Reef, known as ‘Kimberley Marine Support Base’ (KMSB). Construction of the jetty, which is being built to boost tourism and support extractive industries such as oil and gas, involves hammering pylons into the fragile reef system. These pylons have been installed within just a meter of ancient dinosaur tracks believed to have been left 130 million years ago.

The Djukun Nation is deeply disappointed by the exclusion and lack of consultation during the Rubibi Survival Day event hosted by Goolarri Media, a subsidiary of the Broome Aboriginal Media Association (BAMA). Despite being joint Native Title holders under the Rubibi Native Title Determination (2006), the Djukun were denied the opportunity to participate in the Welcome to Country ceremony and were not consulted about the event, held on Djukun Country.

The Yawuru PBC-approved floating jetty development at Yinarra (Entrance Point) has sparked outrage among environmentalists, Djukun Traditional Owners, and Broome locals, as alarming consequences emerge from the ongoing construction.

On January 13, 2025, Djukun Traditional Owners and members of the Broome community gathered outside the Broome office of Divina D'Anna MLA to voice their opposition to fracking and the industrialisation of the Kimberley region. The community protest called for the fracking ban due to the proposal by Texan fossil fuel company Black Mountain, to drill and frack 20 oil and gas wells in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment.

This school holidays, Djukun Elders have taken the younger generation on Country, sharing valuable cultural knowledge about living off the land and maintaining traditions passed down for millennia. Among the teachings was the seasonal wild harvesting of goowal (Flueggea virosa), a fruit found near coastal sand dunes on Djukun Country.

Djukun Elders gathered on Djukun Country to share cultural knowledge and traditional practices with the seasonal harvesting of Acacia colei seeds, known as Lirrirnjin in the Djukun language. The seeds, rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates, were harvested and ground on traditional grinding stones to create flour for bread making, a practice deeply rooted in Djukun cultural heritage.

The Djukun Nation is deeply concerned that The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Broome Campus fails to properly acknowledge the Djukun Traditional Owners.

Despite being recognised as Native Title Holders of the Country on which the university is situated, the Djukun are not properly acknowledged.

On the 26th November 2024, the Broome Library hosted the launch of Tracking Dinosaurs, a captivating children's book written by Debra Hannagan and illustrated by Jade de Baecque. The book intertwines the Broome community's rich history with the Djukun Nation's Dreamtime stories, offering a unique glimpse into the cultural and natural wonders of the region.

On November 8, 2024, Djukun Traditional Owners and Broome community members gathered once again at Yinarra (Entrance Point) to protest against the construction of a $200 million floating jetty on Djukun Country. Despite being recognised as Native Title Holders of the Country on which the jetty is to be constructed, the Djukun were not consulted about the project, and it was approved by the Yawuru Native Title Holders Aboriginal Corporation Prescribed Body Corporate (Yawuru PBC). The exclusion of the Djukun Traditional Owners from the entire approval process raises critical concerns about transparency, fairness, and respect for Djukun rights.

On November 6th, 2024, Djukun traditional owners gathered at Yinarra, known as Entrance Point, to protest against a development that has sparked a strong outcry from the community. The Yawuru Native Title Holders Aboriginal Corporation Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) approved the construction of a $200 million floating jetty on Yinarra Reef, an area sacred to the Djukun people, without consulting the Djukun traditional owners. This action, taken with no input from the Djukun, symbolises the struggle faced by Indigenous groups whose lands and heritage sites are jeopardised by industrial expansion, often without their consent.

Simpson Beach, a picturesque stretch on the Broome Peninsula, holds an irreplaceable place in the hearts and cultural heritage of the Djukun people, who have called it home for thousands of years. Recently, this tranquil beach has gained increased attention on social media, drawing more visitors and raising awareness of its natural beauty and cultural importance. However, a new government-funded sign has recently appeared on-site, marking the area with the name “Nagulan Julan.” This change, introduced by the Yawuru Native Title Holders Aboriginal Corporation (Yawuru PBC) in collaboration with government agencies, has been implemented without consultation with the Djukun Traditional Owners.

On 18th October 2024, a Djukun Nation representative formally requested the South Australian Museum to remove a harmful and inaccurate statement from their website.

For the Djukun people, like other clans in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Our cultural practices are sacred and deeply tied to the spiritual wellbeing of the land and its people. One of the most significant ceremonies we conduct is the smoking ceremony, traditionally performed at births and deaths. This practice, passed down through the generations, is an ancient and essential cultural obligation. It is not simply a ritual but a means of maintaining the balance and harmony of Djukun Country, and it has been performed since time immemorial.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Cain Andrews, a journalist from the Broome Advertiser, to discuss the overwhelming national response to our petition to protect Billingooroo. The petition, which calls for a permanent ban on vehicles driving across the beaches and sand dunes of Djukun Country, has garnered immense support. During the interview, I outlined the reasons behind this call and the cultural significance of preserving these sacred landscapes.

Yinara, known to many as Entrance Point, holds immense significance for the Djukun Traditional Owners of Djukun country. This coastal gem, located on the Jirr-ngin-ngan (Broome) Peninsula, boasts a stunning reef ecosystem and a rich cultural history that deserves protection.