Firstly, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Dr Anne Poelina from North Western Australia, someone I hold in very high regard and respect. I first came across Anne’s awesome environmental work and soon discovered that she was a ‘force of nature’ in terms of her activities.
I also read Anne’s PhD thesis, which is a truly outstanding piece of work covering a wide range of topics, including the impact of historical trauma on Anne's family and peoples. The thesis is well worth a read if you have time.
‘Dr Anne Poelina, Managing Director of Madjulla Incorporated is a Nyikina Traditional Custodian from the Mardoowarra, Lower Fitzroy River in Western Australia. She has developed a deep understanding of issues impacting on Indigenous Australians living in remote locations from working in the areas of Indigenous health, education, language and community development.
Growing up in Broome, Derby and in the Kimberley has led to Anne loving and respecting land, law and culture, particularly in relation to creating industries that are culturally affirming and environmentally sustainable.
She has since studied the historical colonial context of development in the West Kimberley and how that impacts on contemporary Indigenous participation in decision-making, governance, land and water reform.
Anne explores the characteristics of different models of development in relation to the impact and outcomes for Indigenous people in the West Kimberley, particularly in relation to developing green collar jobs in the culture and conservation economy. Her work highlight Indigenous knowledge relating to water sustainability and wildfire mitigation and other key environmental/land management issues.
Anne is a Master Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Master Education, Master Arts (Indigenous Social Policy), Doctor of Philosophy and Registered Nurse.