Can we reconcile modern science with tens of thousands of years of Indigenous knowledge?
In short: Maddison Miller, a Darug archaeologist and artist, is bridging the gap between ecological science and Indigenous wisdom. By examining how we care for Country, she argues that our responsibility to the land does not end at the city limits, but extends into every backyard and urban space we inhabit.
Maddison Miller’s perspective on land management was profoundly shaped by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Kinglake, Victoria. Witnessing the destruction of a landscape she once perceived as safe forced a realization that climate change and systemic mismanagement are driving increasingly catastrophic wildfires. This experience informs her current research at the University of Melbourne, where she collaborates with scientists to integrate Indigenous knowledge—which spans tens of thousands of years—with modern ecological practices to better care for the environment.
Her work challenges the notion that nature is separate from urban development. As an archaeologist who has excavated sites across Melbourne, Miller asserts that the 'beating heart' of Wurundjeri Country persists even beneath the city’s concrete. She emphasizes that caring for Country is a universal responsibility, applicable to our own gardens and backyards. This philosophy is central to her artistic practice, which seeks to make these deep connections tangible through soundscapes and storytelling.
Miller’s contribution to the 'Emu Sky' exhibition, titled 'Yilabara Ngara', invites visitors to listen to the perspectives of four Indigenous knowledge holders. Curated by Zena Cumpston, the exhibition, which ran at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus until August 21, 2022, serves as a platform for bringing together diverse scientific and cultural backgrounds. By combining field recordings and oral histories, Miller aims to foster a sense of hope and collective action, encouraging individuals to reflect on their own capacity to contribute to the healing of Country for future generations.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The academic and artist working to connect us to Country | My Garden Path | Gardening Australia
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