Dr. Jodi Edwards, a Walbanja teacher from the Yuin Nation, on the New South Wales South Coast, is creating waves with her amazing new project. She is currently leading the Unbroken Whispers project. This collaborative Indigenous-led initiative is designed to bridge Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives. It does this by using innovative technology to document the profound connections between Sea Country, Sky Country, and land. In the field Dr. Edwards works alongside Chels Marshall, a Gumbaynggirr woman and ecologist. Combined, they shine a light on the abundant traditional ecological knowledge around whales and their sacred importance in Indigenous cultures.
That’s why the Unbroken Whispers project is so important. In doing so, it amplifies First Nations people’s authority by giving them more access to cultural knowledge and directing sea Country planning. Whales, considered sacred animals by many Indigenous people, are central to legends, songlines, and petroglyphs. Dr. Edwards and Marshall are blending the old ways, hand-in-hand with the scientific process. Combined, they are building a cultural map of whale migratory patterns and behaviors, which deepens our understanding of these brilliant mammals.
Dr. Edwards emphasizes her deep kinship with whales, stating that “story sharing for us has been here for thousands of years and it has never been accepted.” This sentiment underpins the project’s mission to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are valued and recognized within the broader context of environmental stewardship.
The team is conducting artistic workshops and yarning circles to facilitate knowledge-sharing among community members. These lovefests give participants an opportunity to share their favorite maritime stories—both classic and contemporary—about the sea and everything in it.
Marshall points out, “We’re moving our cultural knowledge systems into a place that has equity and equality with Western science — the two of them are valuable.” This blending of knowledge systems aims to dismantle barriers that have historically marginalized Indigenous voices in discussions about environmental conservation.
The burdens of sharing Indigenous wisdom can weigh heavy. Traditionally, most of this knowledge has been passed down through an oral tradition, creating holes in the documentation. Marshall notes that “lots of Aboriginal people don’t have access to scientific journals, there’s a disparity in information sourcing,” underscoring the need for equitable access to information that affects Indigenous communities.
Beyond these artistic and emotional outlets, the Unbroken Whispers project tackles directly relevant practical concerns about whale management. Marshall expresses concern over existing policies, stating, “Under the current legislation, what triggers management or care of whales is when they become threatened. We would argue that’s not extending the level of care that we, as traditional custodians, expect.” This wisdom comes through in the work of the project, which is aimed chiefly at demanding that whales and their habitats are treated with greater respect.
Together with cinematographer Natalia Baechtold, Marshall makes academic research jump off the page. Combining benthic seafloor mapping with lidar imagery, the result is a beautiful visual representation. “We’ve already seen sea canyons, sea mounts, old river beds and lakes, stone tools and old trees coming through,” Marshall explains. This technology-driven methodology continues to drive research and innovation. It allows participants to discover the unique landscape and its vibrant features from new angles.
The four-year project investigates changing migratory patterns of whales. It hopes to study methods to commemorate injured or dead whales with Indigenous burial methods. Dr. Edwards thinks this practice is important for honoring the life of each animal as well as its relationship to Sea Country. “We’re trying to work out good models of how to be respectful in an ever-changing world because putting them [whales] on the tip truck and taking them to a landfill is not appropriate,” adds Cooley, a participant in the discussions around these practices.
For Dr. Edwards, Marshall, and Baechtold though, it’s about more than just recording what they’ve learned. Through their work, they aim to produce a legacy that celebrates the rich and intricate relationships Indigenous peoples have always had with their landscapes. All three women participants have a kinship connection to whales, and it influences their work.
As they move forward with the Unbroken Whispers project, they take an inclusive and expansive approach. They are intentional about centering and valuing diverse perspectives in their conservation efforts. “Our deep dives ask, ‘what really is the story?’” Marshall states, highlighting their desire to uncover deeper truths about the connection between people and nature.
