Our Place, Our Species

Delta Kay at the Lismore Quad Photographed by Kate Holmes 2022 

With a particular focus on youth engagement, Our place, our species will aim to create increased awareness of biodiversity issues through cross-cultural and First Nations knowledge, art and science engagement.
Supported by Inspiring Australia Our place, our species will involve local project teams working together with young people, scientists, and Indigenous knowledge keepers to create unique opportunities for community members to explore local biodiversity through welcoming and memorable experiences

Our Place Our Species Documentary 

Co-Produced by Mitch King and directed by Karenza Ebejer ‘Our Place, Our Species’ shines a light on Aboriginal people within the Northern Rivers doing incredible work to preserve and protect native plants in this region. The caretakers interviewed are each working in ways to benefit the land. They share stories of the plants they have knowledge of and reflect on their own connection to country. Each bring a range of perspectives to the topic of ecology while also joining together in acknowledging and valuing the importance of First Nations practices.

The caretakers featured include Aunty Jenny Smith who helped set up the bush tucker educational garden at the Jarjum Centre pre-school in Goonellabah; Aunty Thelma James and Uncle Mick Roberts who both
have a long history of in the region of working to protect country and have been involved in numerous projects that work with preservation and celebration of native species; Delta Kay who runs Explore Byron Bay - cultural walking and bush tucker tours in the Byron Bay region offering a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of the coast, rainforest and native foods in the region; Tracey King and Lisa Bolt who manage Namabunda Farm, a First Nations agriculture initiative.

“Making this film has been inspiring and educational for us both. We’ve felt so honoured to spend time with the Bundjalung elders who are continuing to do amazing work in preserving and protecting the environment,” say filmmakers Karenza Ebejer and Mitch King. “We hope the viewers get a sense of connection to the beautiful and unique native species here and a deeper understanding of the Indigenous cultural knowledge that comes from being part of the land. We also hope people are inspired to learn more about and support the range of First Nations led projects that exist here."

Left to Right: Wibjabul Jagun dance troupe, Inside the event Marquee, Nini Nari Gali dance troupe. Photographs by Kristopher Cook

Meet the participants 

Aunty Thelma James
Aunty Thelma James is a Banyam Baigham Elder.  She has a long history in the region of working on protecting country.  She has been involved in numerous projects that work with preservation and celebration of native species. She founded the Gunnawannabe cafe along with husband Mick Roberts.

Uncle Mick Roberts
Uncle Mick Roberts is a Banyam Baigham Elder.  He has a long history in the region of working on protecting country.  He has been involved in numerous projects that work with preservation and celebration of native species. He founded the Gunnawannabe cafe along with wife Thelma James

Delta Kay 
Delta Kay an Arakwal Bumberbin Bundjalung woman,  proud mother and grandmother. Delta is passionate about promoting awareness, understanding and mutual respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. She runs Cultural Walking Tours and Bush Tucker Tours in the Byron Bay region offering tourists a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of coast and rainforest in the region. Find Out More..

Aunty Tracy King and Aunty Lisa Bolt
Aunty Tracy and Lisa are members of the Bundjalung Tribal Society who manage Namabunda farm - a First Nations agriculture initiative. Find Out More..

Aunty Jenny Smith 
Aunty Jenny helped set up the bush tucker garden for education at the Jarjum Centre in Goonellabah’s new First Nation’s pre-school, Jarjum Centre is a special place of importance and belonging for all Aboriginal children, their families and the local Aboriginal Community. It supports our Community to raise healthy, educated and culturally strong children.. Find Out More...

Mitch King (Producer) 
Mitch King is a Widjabul Wia-bul & Yaegl storyteller, performer, composer and sound artist.  He developed a theatre show through NORPA about his connection to country, inspired by community and told through a combination of poetry, contemporary dance, rap and visuals.  He has been facilitating the Our Place, Our Species project for the Lismore Quad and this film was initiated by his idea to explore the numerous First Nations led nature projects that exist in the area.

Karenza Ebejer (Director and Producer) 
Karenza Ebejer is an independent award-winning short filmmaker and socially-engaged video artist living, working and creating on Bundjalung country. She has engaged with communities across Australia and has a passion for unique stories of people and place focusing on how creative arts practice intersects with nature and place.  She is interested in a relational approach to storytelling and hopes to support social resilience and connection to place through her projects.