The floods tell us the river is sick. We should listen to Indigenous knowledge to help Country heal

‘Many people don’t trust the river as it bursts its banks and flows across the floodplains inundating homes and livelihoods. But I trust the river more today’ Pictured is the intersection of Orion and Molesworth Street in Lismore in March 2022. Photograph: David Maurice Smith/The Guardian

Our family, community and Country were severely impacted by the extreme rain and floods around Lismore in February and March 2022.

Fortunately, our place at Rosebank was only subject to minor damage from stormwater runoff during the torrential downpours. But I’m upset about the way Country has and is being treated both locally and globally.