Tasmanian-born Yorta Yorta / Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ruth Langford / Tipruthanna will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court Tuesday, representing herself in proceedings arising from non-violent activism to protect native forests.
Ms Langford, who is supported in her work to uphold Law in Country by her senior Palawa Elder Pulalia Meenammatta/Keith James Everett (Uncle Jim Everett), faces three charges relating to forest protection actions in January 2025 and April 2025.
Supporters of Ms Langford said the case raises "enduring questions about the assertion of First Nations Law in Country, unceded sovereignty and the need to acknowledge colonial harm and obligations to Country, particularly where cultural obligations to protect Country come into conflict with government approved destruction".
In Court, Ms Langford will call on the Tasmanian Magistrates Court to hear her evidence on Country.
"I am defending our cultural obligation to protect the beautiful forests and water that give us life," she said on Tuesday morning.
"The first responsibility of Law in Country is to protect the natural systems that give life to all. As an Aboriginal woman, and as an Australian, I am bound by that responsibility. I was not trespassing. I was acting with permission from a Senior Palawa Law Keeper to protect Country from destruction. I am following Palawa Law, which places a clear responsibility on us to defend Country from ongoing destruction.
"This is Palawa land. It was never ceded - it was invaded. Yet there has never been formal recognition of the living Palawa Law that continues in Country. Colonial law may claim our cultural law has been extinguished in Tasmania, but law that lives in Country cannot be erased."
Ms Langford said Law in Country is clear across the continent: "Our primary obligation is to protect the systems that sustain life. That obligation has never ended."
"If you live on this Country, you are bound by First Law - the Aboriginal Law that existed long before colonisation and continues in Country today. No colonial law can erase that responsibility," she said.
"We are Country, and Country is us. I am simply honouring my obligation to protect it."
Ms Langford is pleading not guilty to all charges. She argues that she was acting under a cultural and legal obligation to protect Country, with permission from Senior Palawa Law Keeper - Uncle Jim Everett - and that this obligation takes priority over the interests asserted by Forestry Tasmania.
"I am a Palawa First Nation citizen and the Australian-British colonial laws that I challenge have no jurisdiction over me for defending my Law in Country from ongoing destruction of our natural world," Uncle Jim said.
Ms Langford's supporters noted her court appearance "comes amid ongoing public concern about logging in Tasmania's native forests and, in the lead up to January 26th, captures the unresolved reality of invasion - where First Nations law and connection to Country are largely unrecognised in the Australian legal system".
