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 Traditional Owners are voicing strong opposition to the $200 million floating jetty development, which was 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, is raising serious concerns about transparency and cultural integrity.

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, I - Jaala Ozies, Djukun woman formally requested the South Australian Museum to remove a harmful and inaccurate statement from their website. The statement, which claims ,"This tribe virtually is extinct", refers to the Djukun people and perpetuates a false narrative of cultural extinction. I have also highlighted the incorrect spelling of "Djukun" as "Djugun," which further misrepresents the Djukun community. 

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.

On Monday, 23rd September 2024, the Protecting Billingooroo petition received much-needed media attention, as I was interviewed by Campbell Greaves, a reporter from 7News Regional Western Australia. This coverage marked a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect Billingooroo, a sacred site on Djukun Country, and preserve the natural environment and the vulnerable flatback turtles that nest on its shores. As a Djukun woman, this campaign is personal, not only for me but for the entire Djukun Nation, as we work to safeguard our cultural heritage and environment for future generations.

On behalf of my Djukun Elders, I took on a mission that was close to our hearts: to help protect Billingooroo, a sacred site on Djukun Country, by advocating to permanently close Cable Beach (North) in Broome to vehicles. This iconic beach known to the Djukun people as Billingooroo, is not only a place of breathtaking beauty but also a site of deep cultural significance and ecological importance. For the Djukun, Billingooroo is a sacred site, and it is where the Goolibel—turtles in the Djukun language—come to lay their eggs.

At 82 years old, Hassan Fabian Bin Nasir from the Minyirr Djukun Clan stands as a living testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring spirit of the Djukun Nation. As the oldest living Djukun descendant, Fabian is at the forefront of a remarkable mission to revive the Djukun language—a sleeping language that he is determined to awaken. His dedication to this cause is as personal as it is cultural, rooted in a lifetime of experiences that have shaped his commitment to preserving his heritage.

This story unfolds in the remote coastal town of Broome, Western Australia, known to the Djukun Traditional Owners as Jirr'ngin-ngan. The town has become a focal point of the continuing struggle for Indigenous rights. A petition was initiated by the Djukun people to protect Billingooroo. However, this call to action has exposed the deep-seated racism that exists within the community.

Cable Beach, with its stunning sunsets and pristine sands, is a world-renowned destination that draws thousands of visitors to Broome each year. However, what many may not realise is that this iconic beach, known to the Djukun people as Billingooroo, is not only a place of breathtaking beauty but also a site of deep cultural significance and ecological importance. For the Djukun, Billingooroo is a sacred site, and it is where the Goolibel—turtles in the Djukun language—come to lay their eggs. 

The Kimberley region, known for its stunning landscapes and deep cultural significance, is under threat from fracking. Yisah Bin Omar, a Djukun woman, is supporting the Frack Free Kimberley campaign to protect this precious and unique environment. In an interview, she shared her perspective on the importance of the Kimberley, the dangers of climate change, and the urgent need to ban fracking in Western Australia.

During NAIDOC Week, a time dedicated to celebrating the rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, I had the opportunity to interview Samantha Wyborn, an inspiring Aboriginal artist. This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, loud and proud,’ resonates deeply with Samantha, who balances her full-time role at Main Roads WA as an Aboriginal Stakeholder Engagement Advisor with her art business.