Corina Abraham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corina Patricia Abraham
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Abraham at a protest at Bibra Lake.
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| Known for | Activist |
Corina Patricia Abraham is a strong Whadjuk Noongar woman from Western Australia. She is known for being an activist who works to protect important Aboriginal land and culture. In 2016, she stood up against the Western Australian Government. She believed they didn't follow fair rules when changing the protected status of land that would be affected by a big road project called Roe 8.
Who is Corina Abraham?
Corina Abraham is a traditional owner and guardian of the land for the Whadjuk Noongar people. Her family comes from the Beeliar Whadjuk Noongar tribe. She can trace her family history back many generations. She is directly related to Calyute, who was one of the few people to survive the Pinjarra massacre. Her grandfather was Reverend Sealin Garlett, a respected elder.
In 1997, Corina Abraham was part of the Djidij Djidji Arts Group. With other Aboriginal artists, she created a special artwork. This piece was made using a printing method called linocut. It is now part of the City of Melville's art collection.
Corina Abraham has also helped her local community. In 2010, she was a co-chair of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee for the City of Cockburn. This committee helps advise the city on issues important to Aboriginal people.
Protecting the Beeliar Wetlands
Corina Abraham is well-known for her efforts to protect the Beeliar Wetlands. These wetlands are a very special natural area in Western Australia. They are also culturally important to the Noongar people.
In May 2014, the government announced a large road project. It was called the Perth Freight Link. A big part of this project was an extension to Roe Highway, known as Roe 8. This new road was planned to go right through the Beeliar Wetlands.
Corina Abraham has always spoken out against the Roe 8 extension. She believes it would harm the wetlands and their cultural significance.
On December 2, 2015, a senator named Scott Ludlam read a letter in the Australian Senate. Corina Abraham had written this letter to the Prime Minister of Australia. In the letter, she asked the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to stop the Roe 8 project. She explained how important the wetlands are to the Noongar people. She also shared her worries that the government was not respecting Aboriginal heritage.
Legal Action to Protect Land
To protect the wetlands, Corina Abraham took legal action. On March 30, 2016, her lawyer, Greg McIntyre QC, filed papers in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. This lawyer had also worked on the famous Mabo case.
The legal challenge said that the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Peter Collier, and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs cultural committee did not follow fair rules. Corina Abraham argued that they did not properly talk to her. This was important because she had been part of earlier discussions that recognized the area's significance.
On August 24, 2016, the Supreme Court decided against Corina Abraham's challenge. Even though the court did not rule in her favor, her actions brought a lot of attention to the importance of protecting Aboriginal heritage and land.
