Burri Burri

This poem came from a feeling I couldn’t ignore. When the whales were migrating, I felt a strong pull to go to the ocean and sing to them, like our old people have done for thousands of years and still do today. The call kept getting stronger until one day I went and sang. In that moment, I could feel their energy and their hearts connecting with mine.

Whales are sacred. Our songlines connect our communities all along the coast, and I feel a cultural responsibility to sing to them and keep those connections strong. At La Perouse, my grandmother’s Country, the whale is one of our totems. We believe our Ancestors walked into the water and became the whales, so they are not separate from us — they are part of our family.

As a song woman, I see this poem as an extension of that practice. Singing, like the whales do, is a way of carrying and strengthening songlines. Writing this poem felt natural — once I connected to the message, it flowed like it was always meant to be written.

The use of language in this piece reflects the connections between communities, from La Perouse down to the Far South Coast. Language and song hold our stories, and even small words can carry deep meaning and connection, especially for young people.

Our Elders are everything. They guide us, and it’s our responsibility to honour them and share knowledge with respect and humility.

I hope this poem reminds young people that they carry the strength and spirit of their Ancestors within them. When we take the time to listen deeply and have the courage to speak our truth, that connection is always there.

Created by Emma Stewart, proud Bidjigal and Gweagal woman, with acknowledgement to South Coast language revitalisation work and language knowledge shared through community and Elders.