Gurridyula - Onamission (2022)

This track apparently started blowing up on Australian TikTok a few days ago. It's great on its own, but when you understand the context it's actually even more impactful and inspiring, IMO.

Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners use human rights law to occupy Bravus's Carmichael Coal Mine

Within a large stone Bora circle, a ceremonial fire has been burning non-stop for the past 365 days, attended continuously by a member of the Wangan and Jagalingou people.

This is Waddanagnuu – or The Talking – a cultural ceremony and camp less than two kilometres away from the Carmichael Coal Mine in central Queensland.

In what is believed to be a first, these Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners are using the Queensland Human Rights Act to occupy a mining lease held by Bravus, the Australian arm of Indian mining giant Adani.

And there appears to be little the mine can do about it.

The lead-up to the occupation began in 2019, when Mr Burragubba's son, Coedie McAvoy, set up a camp on part of the mining lease, five kilometres from the mine.

The Queensland government extinguished the Wangan and Jagalingou's Native Title, and Bravus owned the land as freehold.

"Adani moved to the Supreme Court to have us trespassed and had a restraining order against us, so we couldn't go back there," Mr Burragubba said.

The group returned the following year, and again the police were called in to remove them.

The Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners took the matter up with the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and on June 17, 2021, the Queensland Police Service sent them a letter of regret.

"There's a mutual understanding now [with the mine], and the police aren't called in for anything," Mr Burragubba said.

Gurridyula AKA Coodz Mac, is the Coedie mentioned in the article.

And there is also a related GoFundMe, for those interested in donating to the cause:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-coodz-mac-fight