Friends of the Earth

Saltwater People’s Alliance currently operates as a national project under auspice of Friends of the Earth Australia (FOE).

Friends of the Earth Australia is a community based grassroots organisation that is actively working towards an environmentally and socially just world. We believe that social and environmental justice are inextricably linked and we have a strong focus on working in alliances with others in the environmental and social justice movements and with organisations in the broader community. We approach our work from a climate and social justice frame; organising in a way that empowers individuals and communities.

The Saltwater People’s Alliance (SPA) is directed by a working group led by a coalition of actors:
Freja Leonard (Organisational Coordinator) – No More Gas campaign coordinator at Friends of the Earth Melbourne
Yaaran Bundle-Couzens (Cultural Coordinator) – Gunditjmara singer/story keeper/activist and keeper of the Koontapool (Southern Right Whale) dreaming stories.
Vicki Couzens (Cultural Advisor) – Gunditjimara woman, Senior Knowledge Custodian for Possum Skin Cloak Story & Language Reclamation and Revival in her Kerray Woorroong Mother Tongue & Vice Chancellors Indigenous Research Fellow at RMIT University
Robert Bundle (International Ambassador) – CEO of Songlines, Victoria’s peak Aboriginal music body
Jack Pascoe (Advisor)- Yuin Man & Senior Research Fellow in the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences at University of Melbourne

Our work is guided by the following principles:

Anti-hierarchical: Everyone has a voice and nobody sits above or below anyone else. This principle acknowledges cultural hierarchies and does not wish to impose upon these, however, everyone participating understands that our group contains a diversity of views, experiences and skills and we all have a unique part to play in the shared work.

Independent: We do not take money from extractive industry or governments to maintain our independence and remain free of influence from those businesses and decision makers.

Supporting culture: Underpinning every decision we make is the responsibility to support, respect, maintain and celebrate cultural connection. We work respectfully with the laws and lores of First Nations People and their communities.

Transparent: All decision making and deliberations within the group are done transparently and openly.

Energising: Standing up to big businesses and their supporters can (and is often designed to) be draining and demoralising. It is important that we support ourselves and each other and bring our best joy to our work. If we approach this work with optimism and lift each other up we and those around us feel better. We are also more likely to keep members engaged and this will give us the best chance of winning against the huge fossil fuel goliaths.

Respectful: All communication must be respectful of ourselves, each other and the planet as a whole. If something is said that you don’t agree with address the idea, don’t attack the person.

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