Declaration of Peace for Indigenous Australians and Nature

This groundbreaking book delves into the lived experiences and collective wisdom of Indigenous communities impacted by colonialism. Through collaborations with non-Indigenous colleagues, this book seeks to inform current legal practices and advocate for a transformative shift toward justice, equity, and the recognition of First Law and Earth-centered law.By presenting Indigenous stories as case studies and incorporating the collective wisdom gained through extensive discussions and exchanges with non-Indigenous colleagues, the authors highlight the ways in which Australian law falls short in upholding holistic principles and fails to align with First Law and Earth-centered law. The book invites readers to consider alternative legal futures that are rooted in respect, justice, and the well-being of both Indigenous peoples and the natural environment. Through its thought-provoking analysis, literature reviews, and insights from Indigenous leaders, this book servesas a powerful resource for legal practitioners, policymakers, scholars, and anyone passionate about social justice and environmental sustainability. The book aims to ignite meaningful dialogue and inspire concrete actions to address the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples while fostering a more inclusive and equitable legal framework for the generations to come.

Professor Anne Poelina is a Nyikina Warrwa woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. She is an active community leader, human and earth rights advocate, film maker and a respected academic researcher. PhD, PhD, MEd, MPH&TM, MA, Anne is the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) inaugural First Nations appointment to its independent Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences (2022). She is also a member of the Institute for Water Futures, Australian National University, Canberra. She was awarded the Kailisa Budevi Earth and Environment Award on International Women's Day (2022) as recognition for her global standing. She is also the ambassador for the Western Australian State Natural Rangelands Management (NRM) (2022). In 2017, she was awarded a Laureate from the Women's World Summit Foundation (Geneva). Anne is a Peter Cullen Fellow for Water Leadership (2011). Anne believes we can dream together, as human beings, and start to live in harmony with each other and with our non-human families. Otherwise, Mother Earth will be lonely. Donna Bagnall is an Australian lawyer and Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) who has worked in the field of taxation policy and advocacy for the past 15 years, and prior to that as a taxation specialist and professional adviser for more than 12 years. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, and postgraduate Accounting qualifications from the University of NSW. Donna has Indigenous ancestry from Biripai Country (Boolumbahtee / Manning River), as well as First Fleet convict ancestry. Her passion is advocating for healthy and fair tax, legal and economic systems to deliver sustainable outcomes. She is a systems-thinker and a problem-solver who is focused on fixing broken systems in Australia and globally by identifying and addressing the structural flaws in our laws, policies and decision-making processes that underpin our democracy. She holds a Master of Sustainability and Climate Policy from Curtin University, WA. Her Masters dissertation was on the intersection of native title law and Equity (rights and remedies) to create pathways for sustainable economic development on Country for native title holders. She also volunteers with the Environmental Defenders Office and was on the Board of the Australian Conservation Foundation. Dr Mary Graham is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Queensland. She grew up in South-East Queensland, and is a Kombu-merri person through her father's heritage and a Wakka Wakka clan through her mother's heritage. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mary has worked across several government agencies, community organisations and universities. Mary has been a dedicated lecturer with the University of Queensland, teaching Aboriginal history, politics and comparative philosophy. Mary has written and published many prominent works, including - publications in the Aboriginal Encyclopaedi