Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective

This initiative aims to enhance and reconnect Aboriginal women to their cultural and spiritual heritage tied to Sea Country. This initiative focuses on reviving and strengthening the Cultural practices of Aboriginal women and their inherent responsibilities to the ocean and water, specifically related to fishing, diving (abalone, pearl), cooperative fishing with dolphins and orcas, and the kinship connection to whales. By reclaiming these practices, we will empower Aboriginal women to lead the change and charge in Sea Country management, ensuring women’s voices are central in the protection and restoration of these critical environments. This governance body will be a beacon for intergenerational knowledge transfer, drawing on our matriarchal lineage to guide the future of Sea Country and its management.

Goals and Objectives

Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective seeks to achieve the following:

1. “Echoes of the Tide” – Restore & Revitalise Cultural Practices: Reconnect Aboriginal women with Cultural marine practices, including diving, cooperative fishing with dolphins and orcas, and celebrating our kinship ties to whales, seaweed weaving and medicinal use, understanding Sea Country currents and tides, Seasonal Calendars and behavioural Calendars and many more. This will foster intergenerational knowledge transfer and ensure the sustainability of these practices.
2. “Tides of Ancestors” – Matriarchal Leadership: Empower Aboriginal women in particular to take leadership roles in Sea Country management, placing cultural knowledge and practices at the heart of decision-making processes regarding the environment, marine life, and conservation efforts.
3. “Currents of Culture” – Strengthen Cultural Connections: Strengthen the spiritual and cultural connection to Sea Country through collaborative practices with marine species, including singing and rituals tied to our relationship with Sea Country and all Marine Life. This will promote cultural pride and unity.
4. “Story Sister Current lines” – Community Empowerment: Build capacity within Aboriginal communities to manage and protect Sea Country by enhancing the role of women as cultural leaders, thus ensuring the sustainability of Sea Country ecosystems and their cultural practices.

Governance and Structure

Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective will be structured as a governing body where Aboriginal women will take a central role in advising and guiding the management of Sea Country. This body will consist of Cultural Custodians, Knowledge Holders, and women from various Aboriginal communities across the region. The governance structure will ensure that:

• Women’s Voices Are Central: The matriarchal voice will be at the forefront of decision-making, with women leading the cultural dialogue around Sea Country management.
• Cultural and Spiritual Leadership: Women will guide the management of Sea Country using Cultural knowledge, including diving practices, cooperative fishing methods, and kinship ceremonies connected to whales and dolphins.
• Collaborative Management: Aboriginal women will collaborate with other Aboriginal Sea Country and Freshwater Country women, stakeholders, including government agencies, environmental groups, and marine conservation bodies, to ensure cultural and ecological considerations are central to all Sea Country management initiatives.

Cultural Connection to Sea Country and Cultural Practices

The connection between Aboriginal women and Sea Country has always been symbiotic, grounded in practices that are sustainable and respectful of the natural world. Women have always been the key knowledge holders and practitioners of the marine sciences, learning from the tides, currents, and animals. They have a metaphysical relationship with marine fauna and megafauna which help inform practices: These practices include:

• Diving for Abalone and Pearls: Aboriginal women have long engaged in sustainable diving practices to harvest abalone and pearls. These activities are not just a source of food and material goods, but also deeply tied to spiritual and cultural practices that honour the ocean.
• Cooperative Fishing with Dolphins and Orcas: Aboriginal women have a long-standing tradition of fishing in collaboration with marine life. The cooperation between Aboriginal women and dolphins or orcas demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of marine ecosystems and animal behaviour, passed down through generations.
• Kinship with Whales: The connection between Aboriginal women and whales is Cultural and profound. Whales are considered kin, and the songs that honour them carry deep cultural significance. These song lines and rituals reinforce the importance of these relationships, helping to guide the care and stewardship of Sea Country.
• Adornments: The collection of materials from the sea for the creation of adornments is a deeply cultural practice. Aboriginal women have long collected seashells, coral, pearls, and other marine resources to craft jewellery, tools, and ceremonial items. These adornments are not only symbolic but also have practical uses in daily life. The continued practice of adornment making ensures that Cultural art forms and resource use are preserved. Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective will focus on creating opportunities for women to reconnect with these practices, thereby fostering a deeper cultural connection to the sea.
• Surfing Body, Board, and Boats: Surfing is a practice with deep cultural significance. Aboriginal women have long been skilled in surfing and using the ocean for transportation, hunting, and fishing. Historically, women also used wooden boards and canoes for a variety of purposes. Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective will encourage the revival of these practices, ensuring that the knowledge of how to move through the ocean with respect and skill is passed down. Reconnecting to the surfing body and using Cultural boards and boats for fishing and travel will further strengthen Aboriginal women’s connection to Sea Country.
• Food and Medicines of the Sea: Aboriginal women have always been the primary gatherers of food and medicine from the sea. From fishing for abalone and shellfish to harvesting kelp and other sea plants for medicinal purposes, these practices form the core of Aboriginal women’s role in caring for the sea and its resources. By reviving these Cultural practices, Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective will ensure that knowledge of the healing properties of marine life and plant species is preserved. This knowledge can also be applied to sustainable practices for fishing and seaweed harvesting, promoting ecological balance.
• Bull Kelp Weaving: Bull kelp has been an important resource for Aboriginal women for millennia, used in weaving, building, and tool making. Weaving with bull kelp is not only a practical skill but also a form of artistic expression that connects Aboriginal women to Sea Country. The strong connection between women and the sea is embodied in the act of weaving, a practice that requires respect for the environment and the materials it provides. Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective will ensure that this Cultural craft is passed down to younger generations, fostering pride and connection to Sea Country.
• Sea Language Connecting to Cultural Language: The language of the sea is intricately connected to Aboriginal cultural language. Aboriginal women have developed specific terminology for the creatures, tides, and currents of the sea, as well as the songs and rituals that accompany these practices. Language, song, and ritual are integral to maintaining a living relationship with Sea Country. Through Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective, Aboriginal women will continue to pass down these sacred words and songs, ensuring that both cultural and marine languages are preserved and integrated into contemporary Sea Country management practices.

Impact and Benefits

The creation of Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective will have several profound impacts on both the cultural and environmental landscapes:

1. Cultural Enhancement & Reconnection: Aboriginal women will reclaim their place as the central figures in Sea Country management, fostering pride in our cultural heritage and strengthening our connection to marine environments.
2. Environmental Stewardship: By reintroducing Cultural practices of sustainable fishing and cooperative relationships with marine life, we will ensure the protection and restoration of Sea Country ecosystems, which are vital for the health of our communities and future generations.
3. Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer: Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective: will provide a platform for transferring Cultural knowledge to younger generations, ensuring the survival of practices that have sustained Aboriginal people for thousands of years.
4. Strengthening Leadership: The initiative will position Aboriginal women as leaders in cultural and environmental governance, providing an opportunity for women to have a direct say in policies related to Sea Country.

Conclusion

Marine Mothers and Matriarchs Collective represents an essential step in revitalizing and strengthening the cultural connections between Aboriginal women and Sea Country. By reclaiming Cultural practices and placing women at the forefront of Sea Country governance, we are ensuring that our rich heritage of sustainable marine practices is preserved for future generations. Through the empowerment of Aboriginal women, this initiative will forge a path forward that blends cultural and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the deep bond between our people and the ocean is both honoured and protected.