Indigenous and non-indigenous perspectives, with Mary Graham, Ross Williams, and Michelle Maloney
How the heck are we human beings in industrialised societies going to cope with the types of societal changes heading towards us, due to climate change? While we see a significant focus and debate about the role of renewable energy and technology in transitioning us away from fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions, we’re seeing less discussion about the deeper issues around our culture and our expectations of Mother Earth.
Please join us for this fascinating conversation between Mary Graham, Ross Williams and Michelle Maloney, as they reflect on the different ways that Indigenous and non-indigenous cultures and societies organise themselves, work with (and against) nature and what types of cultural changes might help us all work together into the future, to better care for the Earth community, and survive a climate changing world.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Mary Graham
Dr Mary Graham is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, and has written and spoken extensively about Aboriginal philosophy, ethics, politics and social issues. Mary grew up in South-East Queensland, and is a Kombu-merri person through her father’s heritage and a Wakka Wakka clan through her mother’s heritage. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mary has worked across several government agencies, community organisations and universities. Mary has been a dedicated lecturer with the University of Queensland, teaching Aboriginal history, politics and comparative philosophy. Mary has written and published many prominent works, including – publications in the Aboriginal Encyclopaedia, training modules for Cross Cultural Awareness and a host of academic papers.
Ross Williams, Future Dreaming
Ross [Timmulbar] Williams is a proud Bindal descendent of the Mt Elliot, Townsville and Cape Cleveland clans and the Juru people of Bowen region on his father’s side, and Erub and Mer in the Torres Straits through his mother’s ‘side. Ross lives, works, and gives recognition and respect to the Yuggera and Turrbal clans and peoples (Brisbane/Meeanjin), as the rightful Traditional Owners and direct descendants of the original inhabitants, and to their ongoing connection to their traditional estates. Ross has lived and worked for many years with First Nations land and water based cultural management and has developed that knowledge over his lifetime.
Michelle Maloney
Dr Michelle Maloney (BA/LLB(Hons),PhD) is Co-Founder and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), Adjunct Senior Fellow, Law Futures Centre, Griffith University; and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Future Dreaming Australia. She advocates for systems change, in order to shift industrialised societies from a human-centred, to an Earth centred governance system.
ABOUT EARTH LAWS MONTH
The Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) is hosting a huge month of events throughout September – webinars, public lectures, workshops, virtual art exhibitions and more – to explore and celebrate our relationship with the living world. To find out about all our events, please visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tours/earthlaws-month
ABOUT AELA
The Australian Earth Laws Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating Earth-centred systems change, by increasing the understanding and practical implementation of Earth-centred governance. Our programs include a focus on law, economics, education, ethics, Indigenous knowledge systems and the arts.
For more information, please visit our website: www.earthlaws.org.au
Or get in touch – aela@earthlaws.org.au