As I reflect on my time in the Kimberley I’m reminded of the most poignant story reservoir embedded within red dirt – the stories of the first people. ARLP includes a strong cultural stream that unapologetically focuses on the realities of the Australian Aboriginal people and their stories lost. Complex and open discussions led by Rob Watson served a stark and sickening realisation about the impact of European settlement on Indigenous culture and the blatant refusal of Australian society to acknowledge a history that hurts. The ability to manipulate historical accounts and preferentially select stories shared has a devastating impact that can erode entire cultures, erase people, conceal the past and perpetrate a dangerously homogenous eye to the future.

While we were in the Kimberley our cultural guide, Jermaine Nugget, graciously exchanged stories of the area and the land. Jermaine is artistically gifted, he paints beautifully, sings and has a gentle charisma which was aspirational to all of us. He shared stories of the caves, the Mimbi dreamtime story of, ‘The Blue Tongue Lizard and the Mudlark’ and as we walked through the country he would impart micro stories about the landscape, the flora, fauna and his people. He was so composed and connected when he shared these stories he showed us what it truly means to talk with considered purpose and speak from the heart.