Ngarridurndeng Kured
Ngarridurndeng Kured (We Going Home Now) follows Dean Yibarbuk, his family and and the Indigenous Fire Rangers he leads into the heart of Kuwarddewardde. Here ancient rhythms and traditional practices combine with western science to create a unique relationship to guard against devastating wildfires and support the return of Binninj Nawarddeken to their traditional homelands and ways of living in the bush.
Kuwarddewardde – the rock country – is home to the Bininj Nawarddeken, people who have always inhabited a remote corner of what is known today as Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. For millennia, they looked after the rock country, taking care of it for their ancestors and their children. Fire was one of their main tools and Bininj Nawarddeken actively burned areas of the savanna grasslands woodlands and rainforests to protect them from large, devastating wildfires. But in the late 18th century, British colonialization disrupted the Bininj Nawarddeken’s connection to the land and their traditional use of fire. The result was the spread of massive wildfires that decimated pristine ecosystems. Dean Yibarbuk of Warddeken Land Management (a First Nation’s owned non-profit) and knowledge keeper of Bininj Nawarddeken, lays it plain “Without people, those wildfires took place. It’s a lonely country waiting for people to return.” Ngarridurndeng Kured (We Going Home Now) follows Dean, his family and the Indigenous fire rangers he leads into the heart of Kuwarddewardde. Here ancient rhythms and traditional practices combine with western science to create a unique relationship that guards against devastating wildfires and supports the return of Bininj Nawarddeken to their traditional homelands and ways of living in the bush.
Country of Origin: Australia
DEAN MUNUGGULLUMUNUR YIBARUK and EMMA MASTERS, Directors
Kuwarddewardde – the rock country – is home to the Bininj Nawarddeken, people who have always inhabited a remote corner of what is known today as Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. For millennia, they looked after the rock country, taking care of it for their ancestors and their children. Fire was one of their main tools and Bininj Nawarddeken actively burned areas of the savanna grasslands woodlands and rainforests to protect them from large, devastating wildfires. But in the late 18th century, British colonialization disrupted the Bininj Nawarddeken’s connection to the land and their traditional use of fire. The result was the spread of massive wildfires that decimated pristine ecosystems. Dean Yibarbuk of Warddeken Land Management (a First Nation’s owned non-profit) and knowledge keeper of Bininj Nawarddeken, lays it plain “Without people, those wildfires took place. It’s a lonely country waiting for people to return.” Ngarridurndeng Kured (We Going Home Now) follows Dean, his family and the Indigenous fire rangers he leads into the heart of Kuwarddewardde. Here ancient rhythms and traditional practices combine with western science to create a unique relationship that guards against devastating wildfires and supports the return of Bininj Nawarddeken to their traditional homelands and ways of living in the bush.
Country of Origin: Australia
DEAN MUNUGGULLUMUNUR YIBARUK and EMMA MASTERS, Directors
Dean Munuggullumunur Yibarbuk:
Dean Yibarbuk is a traditional owner of Djinkarr, near Maningrida, where he began his career as an Aboriginal liaison officer for the Northern Territory government and Maningrida Community School. Dean is multilingual, speaking Gurrgoni, Kunwinjku, Yolngu Matha and English, among other Indigenous languages.
In the 1980s, Dean studied natural and cultural resource management at Adelaide University and Bachelor College, and since then has taken a prominent leadership role in Indigenous land conservation in Australia and overseas. Dean was a driving force behind the development of one of Australia’s oldest ranger groups, the Djelk Rangers (now Bawinanga Rangers), and in the establishment of Warddeken Land Management.
He is currently chairperson of Warddeken, co-chair of the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust, and has sat on too many boards and committees over the years to list. For much of his adult life, Dean has been a powerful advocate for the positive impacts of customary burning, and continues to travel the globe to inspire and inform others.
Emma Masters:
Emma Masters is a storyteller – a filmmaker and journalist - with more than 25 years experience in Australia and overseas. Her dedication and commitment to storytelling is evident in the body of work she has created as a director, producer and writer in the screen industry and a journalist, producer and presenter across television, radio, podcast and print media in Australia and overseas. A multiskilled creator who directs and produces as well as shoots and edits, Emma’s independent production company Weave Films has been behind documentaries, short films and digital content. She also collaborates with others on their screen projects – from documentary and drama to digital content. She has recently returned to ABC News in Australia as a senior producer and journalist.
Emma Master's Statement:
I have worked with Bulanj Dean Yibarbuk in different ways over many years, so when he reached out and asked me to join him to work on his film, I didn’t hesitate in saying yes! The modern and ancient stories of Nawarddeken people and Kuwarddewardde have captured my heart and mind for many years, so to return to country and work with everyone to help them bring their story, culture and language to the screen is both an honour and a privilege.
Dean Yibarbuk is a traditional owner of Djinkarr, near Maningrida, where he began his career as an Aboriginal liaison officer for the Northern Territory government and Maningrida Community School. Dean is multilingual, speaking Gurrgoni, Kunwinjku, Yolngu Matha and English, among other Indigenous languages.
In the 1980s, Dean studied natural and cultural resource management at Adelaide University and Bachelor College, and since then has taken a prominent leadership role in Indigenous land conservation in Australia and overseas. Dean was a driving force behind the development of one of Australia’s oldest ranger groups, the Djelk Rangers (now Bawinanga Rangers), and in the establishment of Warddeken Land Management.
He is currently chairperson of Warddeken, co-chair of the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust, and has sat on too many boards and committees over the years to list. For much of his adult life, Dean has been a powerful advocate for the positive impacts of customary burning, and continues to travel the globe to inspire and inform others.
Emma Masters:
Emma Masters is a storyteller – a filmmaker and journalist - with more than 25 years experience in Australia and overseas. Her dedication and commitment to storytelling is evident in the body of work she has created as a director, producer and writer in the screen industry and a journalist, producer and presenter across television, radio, podcast and print media in Australia and overseas. A multiskilled creator who directs and produces as well as shoots and edits, Emma’s independent production company Weave Films has been behind documentaries, short films and digital content. She also collaborates with others on their screen projects – from documentary and drama to digital content. She has recently returned to ABC News in Australia as a senior producer and journalist.
Emma Master's Statement:
I have worked with Bulanj Dean Yibarbuk in different ways over many years, so when he reached out and asked me to join him to work on his film, I didn’t hesitate in saying yes! The modern and ancient stories of Nawarddeken people and Kuwarddewardde have captured my heart and mind for many years, so to return to country and work with everyone to help them bring their story, culture and language to the screen is both an honour and a privilege.