Striving to raise awareness of cultural burning and celebrate this year's NAIDOC Week theme of "Keep the Fire Burning! – Blak, Loud and Proud", this month Aboriginal owned fashion label Magpie Goose has joined forces with Indigenous land management Organisation, Firesticks Alliance for a special collaboration collection.

Working together to create a limited-edition range of t-shirts that strive to raise awareness about the benefits of cultural burning, the collaboration is the first time Magpie Goose and Firesticks Alliance have worked together on a project.

With the T-shirts theme design aligned with the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme of "Keep the Fire Burning! – Blak, Loud and Proud", the t-shirts are available to purchase from Monday 8 July.

Featuring three unique designs each created by different Indigenous designers, the new collaborative t-shirt range aims to further spotlight Firesticks Alliance and its important work to support communities in healing and protecting country through cultural fire practices.

Firesticks is a national Indigenous network that empowers communities to protect and enhance the wellbeing of Country by reviving cultural knowledge and practices.

Over the past 10 years, the organisation has supported 35 communities through mentoring, training, and advocacy in restoring communities' cultural wellbeing and identity.

Firesticks Alliance mentorships and educational programs aim to reinstate cultural knowledge systems among youth, Elders, and community leaders, with fire practitioners learning cool burning and other land management techniques to improve ecosystem health and agricultural and economic livelihoods.

"The collaboration and partnership between Magpie Goose and Firesticks Alliance embody the shared values of Indigenous-led sustainable initiatives, supporting the economic development of artists and fire practitioners," said Firesticks Alliance people and partnerships manager, Rachel Steffensen.

When it comes to the collections aesthetic and design, several talented creatives were involved in the process.

Tristan Schultz - who designed the cover artwork for the book Fire Country, written by Firesticks Alliance co-founder Victor Steffenson - has revisited the illustration for this project. Keisha Leon and Casey Coolwell-Fisher also contributed designs to the t-shirt capsule collection.

Artist Casey Coolwell-Fisher features plants in her artwork, including an Australian grass tree (Xanthorrhoea), once known as a 'black boy' tree.

"The 'Blak Boi' has played an integral part in our culture by making fire sticks, supplying food and weapons, creating resin/glue, and so much more," she said.

"Blak Boi trees stay resilient and have stood the test of time through the uproar of bushfires."

Using 100 per cent natural fibres across all ranges and made to last, Magpie Goose encourages consumers and the public to care for Country through their clothing choices.

Each limited edition 'Keep the Fire Burning' t-shirt is made with full circle fibres, traceable cotton grown on Kamilaroi Country (St George, Queensland) – which is ethically and locally manufactured and hand-screen printed with water-based inks in southeast Queensland within 30km of Magandjin/Meanjin (Brisbane).

Owner and Director of Magpie Goose, Amanda Hayman, said the brand is committed to offering a more sustainable alternative when it comes to fashion.

"We are a part of an industry that is detrimental to the planet, so we offer a better alternative to fast fashion and try and educate our audience about the impacts of their wardrobe choices," she said.

By collaborating with Aboriginal artists and practising sustainable production methods, the fashion brand creates economic opportunities for Indigenous creatives and reaffirms their dedication to caring for the Country.

Each 'Keep the Fire Burning' t-shirt sells a product, promotes Indigenous-led land management, and supports local communities.

Magpie Goose, which has collaborated with Aboriginal artists since its inception, provides a platform for storytelling through art. It leverages clothing as a medium for sharing culture while generating economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and creatives.

With the new collection expected to sell out, customers are being encouraged to shop and support the two businesses both during and after NAIDOC Week.

From Monday 8 July, the Magpie Goose x Firesticks Alliance collaboration will see a series of three Aboriginal-designed 'Keep the Fire Burning' t-shirts released, which will be available to purchase online at www.magpiegoose.com and at the Magpie Goose flagship store on King St, Bowen Hills, Queensland.

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