Important time spent on Bundjalung country

On Friday, July 26, our Northern NSW Allambi team met together at the East Ballina gathering place on Bundjalung Country.

Here Kris Cook, through the words of his Grandfather Uncle Lewis Cook, welcomed us on to Country and began to share with us the history and stories of his people and their land.

We began our walk by paying our respects to the traditional custodians of this coastal place and acknowledged the tragedies that had happened here.

Then sitting on the sand amongst the pig face plant Kris shared with us a story of place, entrusting us with the responsibility of holding the story ourselves with respect and care as we continued on.

As we meandered through the landscape, taking in our surroundings, we learned about the traditional seasons and ways of life and Kris pointed out a range of bush tucker foods along the way, offering us to try what was in season.

Kris shared with us a little of his language and how it spoke to and of the land around us and the reciprocal relationship that exists.

Kris invited us to step gently into his world where he facilitated an open and respectful space for us to learn, ask questions and reflect.

The slow and relaxed pace of our walk offered us the space to be present to what was being shared and to hold our collective experience with gratitude and respect.