Racism Unveiled: The Backlash Against Djukun Traditional Owners’ Petition to Protect Billingooroo

Artist: Y. Bin Omar, Billingooroo oobarda goolibel.

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.
The petition, titled "Protecting Billingooroo: A Call to Permanently Close Cable Beach to Vehicles," was intended to safeguard a sacred Djukun site and protect vulnerable wildlife, particularly the flatback turtle, from the dangers posed by vehicles driving on the beach. However, when the petition was posted on the Broome Notice Board Facebook account, it was met with a wave of racist and dismissive comments that exposed a troubling disregard for the cultural obligations of the Djukun people.

The very first comment on the post set the tone for the backlash: "Permanently close the dole office first." This flippant and derogatory remark not only dismissed the serious environmental and cultural concerns raised by the petition but also perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Indigenous people. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning. Comments like "Stupidest idea ever," and "Here we go again, another sacred site pffft whatever," quickly followed, revealing a shocking level of disrespect and ignorance.

One comment, in particular, emphasised the deeply ingrained racism that still exists in parts of Australian society: "Well for someone like me I just stay quiet, but this is beyond belief. The beaches and ocean I feel belong to everyone. Yes, protect places if they are being damaged. But to say they are sacred? What the Hell? We should all be proud to be Australian and live together, not continue taking and paying our insidious money and land. Let’s all unite together." This comment, while attempting to cloak itself in the language of unity, fundamentally dismissed the Djukun people's cultural connection to their land and implied that their claims were somehow illegitimate.

Other comments included "Just another claim, need another handout?" and "Get f*cked, that's the best part of Broome," reflecting a complete lack of respect for the Djukun people's rights as traditional custodians of their land. These comments not only displayed blatant racism but also ignored the real environmental threats posed by vehicles on Billingooroo. The flatback turtle, a vulnerable species, returns to Billingooroo each year to lay its eggs. The hatchlings, already facing numerous natural challenges, are now struggling to navigate the deep tyre marks left by vehicles on the beach. These tyre marks often trap the tiny turtles, leaving them vulnerable to predators or the crushing weight of passing vehicles.

The Shire of Broome has suggested temporarily closing the beach during the hatching season, but this measure is insufficient to ensure the survival of the flatback turtles and the preservation of Billingooroo as a sacred site. The call to permanently close Billingooroo to vehicles is to protect wildlife and preserve the natural environment for future generations. The Djukun Traditional Owners’ call to permanently close Billingooroo to vehicles is not an unreasonable request; it is a plea for the protection of their cultural heritage and the fragile ecosystem that sustains it.

The racism and ignorance displayed in the comments on the petition are a stark reminder of the challenges Indigenous people face in advocating for their rights and protecting their land. l spoke with the oldest living Djukun Elder 82 year old Fabian Nasir, who expressed his disappointment over the recent racist comments, stating, "Australia says fair go. How about giving Billingooroo a fair go? Respect the country, respect the traditional custodians of the land, respect the rocks, and leave them where they are."

Despite the Djukun peoples continuous connection to their country, the Djukun, like many other First Nations groups, have endured the hardships of colonisation, including forced labour in the pearling industry, the trauma of the Stolen Generations, and the displacement caused by World War II. The Bombing of Broome in 1942 led to the evacuation of entire families, some of whom never returned.

In 2024, it is time for Australia to confront the racism that still exists within its borders and to respect the rights of Indigenous people to protect their land and cultural heritage. The Djukun Traditional Owners' call for the permanent closure of Billingooroo to vehicles is a matter of cultural preservation, environmental protection, and respect for their sacred connection to Billingooroo. It is a call for change that must be heard and heeded. Racism has no place in the discussion, and it must be called out whenever it appears. The time for change is now, and the rights of the Djukun people must be respected on their own country.