Pete McCurley, a Gumbaynggirr carver and advocate for cultural fire management, shares his insights on the complexities of indigenous land care. He reveals the challenges of cultural fire management amidst surveillance and sabotage while highlighting the misconceptions surrounding nature. The conversation dives into the balance between invasive species and biocultural systems, the importance of traditional ecological practices, and how historical narratives impact today’s environmental management. Plus, discover how radiata pine can be transformed into artisan tools!

In this episode, Pete McCurley, a Gumbayngiir wood carver and reluctant blacksmith, discusses topics such as coping with grief through art, the impact of a devastating storm on cultural food plants, personal development and leaving a lasting impact, challenges in forging a keel bolt, the importance of community support, and transformation of wrong stories into cautionary tales.