Yaama (Hello)
This is an open letter to the NSW State Parliament.
My name is Paul Spearim and I am a proud descendant of the Gamilaraay Nation of Northern NSW and Southern Queensland.
Through both my parents ancestry I can trace my connection to the
Gamilaraay Nation back 3 Generations before the Gamilaraay Nation and
Australia was even discovered. With my Gamilaraay connection locked
within my Gii (heart) and Dhuwi (soul) my traditional upbringing was
always prevalent in all matters relating to myself and my siblings
learning song, dance, stories, knowledge and culture of my people.
Over the past 45 years I have maintained a cultural, spiritual and
knowledge based connection to my sacred lands, by following the ancient
teachings of my Grandparents, Parents, Aunties and Uncles and passing
these teachings onto thousands of Gamilaraay people. Whether it be at
Moree, Boobera Lagoon, Gunnedah, Biliga, Narrabri, Terrie Hie Hie,
Inverell, Tingha, Boggabilla, Mungindi,Walgett and many other small
towns and clan group areas that make up our unique sacred lands.
This brings me to the Political concept of what all First Nations people
have to deal with when confronting the burden of prove to having a
continues connection to their sacred lands. But for me personally this
did not begin in 1901 or when the 1967 Referendum took place or when the
evil Native Title Legislation was enacted. No, my continued connection
goes back to when my Grandparents, Great Grandparents and so on, my
Parents, Aunties and Uncles first passed onto me my connection to my
songs, dance, stories, knowledge and culture. This just goes to show
that the Gamilaraay Nation are a great example of the Oldest Surviving
Race of peoples in the world, and how we still have maintained a
continues connection to our sacred Gamilaraay lands since Gamilu
Bidi-Wii (Creation).
For 3 generation my family have been
excluded from the land and stopped from caring for the plants and
animals and the purity of our water.
We are calling on you to say
GAMIL (no) to anymore destruction occurring in my sacred lands. Sacred
sites of very important significants have already been destroyed by
Whitehaven, Santos and other Coal mining companies within our nation all
with the approval of your colleagues and former politicians.
I
wonder if the NSW State Parliament members have ever Maayali (whispered)
into there babies/children or grandchildren’s ears, “I love you dearly
and I will protect you with all my heart.
Well this is exactly
how we as Gamilaraay people feel about our children. But what are we
going to protect if you as our political representatives have already
approved and desecrated one of our largest 'Birthing Ground's' not more
than 5km away from Whitehavens front door.
Again I appeal to all
members of the NSW State Parliament when in the future they are asked by
there babies/children and grandchildren. “Mum, Dad, Nan, Pop when you
where in politics I thought Northern NSW or more importantly the
Gamilaraay Nation was unique, once made up of four very rich sustainable
eco systems, towards the east is the great dividing ranges with its
temperate rainforest and once rich gold and precious gems ladened lands.
In the west is the semi arid red soiled plains, now made famous (sic)
for the cattle & sheep grazing industry. To the north is the black
soiled plains now know as the food bowl of australia and in the south is
the flood plains which is now known as the capital of the cotton
industry.
Since this illegal occupation of my once striving
landscape began, the famous Guwaydir River, which once stretched from
one side of Gamilaraay to the other is almost dry. The Namoi River,
which is the important sacred marker for Gamilu Bidi Wii (big and little
Light) it is slowing to a very small trickle. The once crystal clear
waters of the Barwon the resting place of the underground Seven Rivers
is now like a stream and the very large raging Condomine which once
proudly flowed into the Wiradjuri Nation is almost gone in some parts.
These where once major waterways and now they are almost dying, because
of the introduction of sheep and cattle, the farming industry, cotton
and now coal and CSG”.
Also the life giving Great Artesian Basin
which carries old stories that relate back to Gamilu Bidi-Wii (Creation)
within our sacred lands.
So again I say what is your answer going to be when they say, “WHY DID'NT YOU STOP THIS DESECRATION”.
Source:10,000 Amend
#GamilmeansNo