OBE x Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation

Mithaka People have lived and worked across the Channel Country for generations and hold strong connections to the ancient and contemporary systems it supports. This includes Mithaka Peoples’ connections to the region’s communities, the Barcoo and Diamantina Shires, and tourism, pastoral and mining industries operating throughout the area.

Mithaka people have been involved with the pastoral industry in the Channel Country for many generations. Mithaka people have worked in many roles, including as stockmen and stockwomen and continue to work with pastoral stations across the region. Mithaka’s Native Title determined area includes certified organic properties from which OBE Organic sources livestock from.

Mithaka have custodial kinship with the lands and waters of the Channel Country which feed into Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre. As such, it is all of our responsibilities to protect her. One of the major threats facing Mithaka people’s relationship with their Country, is fracking (or unconventional gas extraction) and any mining in the rivers and floodplains of the Lake Eyre Basin.

For many years Mithaka has been advocating for stronger protection for the Lake Eyre Basin rivers and Channel Country floodplains so the outstanding cultural, grazing, and natural values can be sustained for future generations. In 2015, the incoming Palaszczuk Government in Queensland promised to strengthen protections but are yet to deliver on this promise. You can read more about Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation’s position here: https://mithaka.org.au/prisitine-rivers/

Mithaka people and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised photographs in this collaboration contain images of persons who are pandani (deceased) which may cause sadness or distress.

On 27th October 2015 the Mithaka People were awarded native title of 55,425 square kilometres of Queensland land and water, which rivals Tasmania in size. The Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation was founded to manage this native title.

In Queensland’s remote Channel Country of red dirt and gibber rock, archaeological discoveries are raising questions around the idea that Indigenous groups were nomadic hunter gatherers. While historical accounts have suggested Aboriginal Australians may have lived in permanent settlements, scientists say there is relatively limited archaeological evidence to back this up. But now, a unique collaboration between Mithaka traditional owners and scientists are unearthing skeletons, stone arrangements, and large-scale quarry sites that experts say may paint a new picture of early Aboriginal lives. Palaeontologists and geochronologists worked alongside Mithaka to launch drones into the sky in search of evidence suggesting early life.

Mithaka People are Traditional Owners who in accordance with Mithaka customary laws and traditions have social, economic, cultural and spiritual affiliations with, and responsibilities for, Mithaka traditional land and waters.