In this episode, I sit down with proud Meuram woman Lala Gutchen from Erub island in the Torres Strait — a language teacher, diver, and climate advocate whose life’s work is rooted in protecting Country.

We met at the First Nations Clean Energy Summit on Kabi Kabi Country, where Lala shared her story about preserving language, culture, and Sea Country in the face of rising tides and corporate development. From teaching her people’s first language, Erub Mer, to giving evidence in court alongside her parents to defend her homeland, Lala reminds us that caring for Country isn’t just environmental work — it’s cultural survival.

Together, we yarn about the Torres Strait 8, youth leadership, the importance of elders’ guidance, and how connection to Country keeps language alive. Lala’s words are powerful and grounding — a reminder that protecting the planet begins with listening to those who live closest to it.

🎧 Tune in to hear a deeply moving conversation about family, resistance, and hope — and why, as Lala says, “Country breathes the language to us.”

Resources & Links

First Nations Clean Energy Network
Learn more about the movement bringing mob together to shape a clean energy future.
https://www.firstnationscleanenergy.org.au

Torres Strait 8 Campaign
Read about the landmark human rights case led by Torres Strait Islanders to hold the Australian Government accountable for climate inaction.
https://ourislandsourhome.com.au

Erub Island
Information about Erub, its people, and culture from Torres Strait Regional Authority.
https://www.tsra.gov.au/the-torres-strait/community-profiles/erub

Ben & Jerry’s – Protect the Islands Campaign
How the global ice cream brand partnered with the Torres Strait 8 to raise awareness about rising sea levels.
https://www.benandjerry.com.au/values/issues-we-care-about/climate-justice/torres-strait

Koori Mail
Australia’s national Indigenous newspaper covering stories like the Torres Strait 8 and climate justice.
https://koorimail.com

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

In this episode, I sit down with proud Meuram woman Lala Gutchen from Erub island&nbsp;in the Torres Strait &mdash; a language teacher, diver, and climate advocate whose life&rsquo;s work is rooted in protecting Country.
We met at the First Nations Clean Energy Summit on Kabi Kabi Country, where Lala shared her story about preserving language, culture, and Sea Country in the face of rising tides and corporate development. From teaching her people&rsquo;s first language, Erub Mer, to giving evidence in court alongside her parents to defend her homeland, Lala reminds us that caring for Country isn&rsquo;t just environmental work &mdash; it&rsquo;s cultural survival.
Together, we yarn about the Torres Strait 8, youth leadership, the importance of elders&rsquo; guidance, and how connection to Country keeps language alive. Lala&rsquo;s words are powerful and grounding &mdash; a reminder that protecting the planet begins with listening to those who live closest to it.
🎧 Tune in to hear a deeply moving conversation about family, resistance, and hope &mdash; and why, as Lala says, &ldquo;Country breathes the language to us.&rdquo;
Resources &amp; Links
First Nations Clean Energy Network Learn more about the movement bringing mob together to shape a clean energy future. <a data-start="330" data-end="372">https://www.firstnationscleanenergy.org.au</a>
Torres Strait 8 Campaign Read about the landmark human rights case led by Torres Strait Islanders to hold the Australian Government accountable for climate inaction. <a data-start="550" data-end="582">https://ourislandsourhome.com.au</a>
Erub Island Information about Erub, its people, and culture from Torres Strait Regional Authority. <a data-start="703" data-end="768">https://www.tsra.gov.au/the-torres-strait/community-profiles/erub</a>
Ben &amp; Jerry&rsquo;s &ndash; Protect the Islands Campaign How the global ice cream brand partnered with the Torres Strait 8 to raise awareness about rising sea levels. <a data-start="935" data-end="1023">https://www.benandjerry.com.au/values/issues-we-care-about/climate-justice/torres-strait</a>
Koori Mail Australia&rsquo;s national Indigenous newspaper covering stories like the Torres Strait 8 and climate justice. <a data-start="1151" data-end="1172">https://koorimail.com</a>
The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.
If you enjoyed this episode, please &lsquo;Subscribe&rsquo; on Apple Podcasts or &lsquo;Follow&rsquo; on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you&rsquo;d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.



Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.



Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.



If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.
 
Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.
 
Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.
 
If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.
 
Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.
 
Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.
 
If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Black Magic Woman

Protecting Sea Country: Language, Climate and Legacy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/63f734e0-f483-4ee9-bdcf-b383005024d0/transcript

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