Aboriginal women’s gathering to speak on water concerns

The MehiCentre, a strong Traditional Owner Group from Gamilaraay Country, will host an historic three-day gathering in Moree, NSW later this month to reinforce cultural connections to Country and strengthen networks.

The gathering, from June 26-27,   “Growing up on the Mehi: An Aboriginal Women’s Water Gathering” will be led, shaped, and owned by Aboriginal women.

 It will mark a historic moment in the fight for First Nations water justice in Australia’s largest river system, the Murray-Darling Basin.

“The reason we need this event is to enforce our existing connections to water and Country,” Aunty Polly Cutmore, Gamilaraay Traditional Owner, said.

We’ve been intentionally left out when decisions are made about water.

“There’s been issues around the governance of water with Aboriginal People — we have not been at the table to talk about this stuff. It’s always been taken over by the irrigators. We don’t have to comply with their rules.”

“We have to bring our cultural law back. Look what they have done to our river — our river is dying, and we have a cultural obligation to care for it.”

“We are having this gathering to keep our networks strong, to find out what’s been going on with water on our Country, and to let the government know we’re not happy with how water is managed.”