Dingoes in December: Bringing Dingoes Back to Country

A special evening of film, First Nations knowledge, and conversation about the future of Australia's dingoes What if there was more to the dingo story than we ever imagined? Join the Conservation Council ACT Region, Canberra Environment Centre, Dingo Culture and Defend the Wild for a special evening celebrating Australia's only native canid – and exploring why protecting dingoes matters for healthy ecosystems, First Nations cultural connections, and the future of wildlife conservation in the ACT and beyond. This is a rare opportunity to hear from an extraordinary panel of cultural knowledge-holders, scientists, co-existence practitioners, and conservation advocates, including Dingo Culture's Sonya Grant (Takau), joining us from Queensland to share her work supporting First Nations leadership in dingo protection across Australia. Dingoes are much more than an iconic Australian animal. As apex predators, they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, helping regulate other animal populations, and supporting healthier landscapes. Yet, since colonisation, they have been relentlessly persecuted through poisoning, trapping, shooting, and other lethal control programs. There is another way forward. Across Australia, First Nations custodians, Indigenous Rangers, researchers, wildlife co-existence experts, and conservationists are working to restore long-held connections with dingoes and champion more humane, evidence-based approaches to living alongside them. The evening will begin with two powerful short films, followed by an expert panel discussion and audience Q&A, facilitated by Dr Simon Copland, Executive Director of the Conservation Council ACT Region. About the films Moort, Calling Dingo Back to Country (10 mins) explores the deep kinship between cultural custodians and the dingo, highlighting a united effort to protect them from widespread killing programs. The film features cultural leaders from seven mobs across south-west Australia, and calls for a new approach in which the cultural values of dingoes are reflected in legislation and management. In Ganibarra (18 mins) Jirrbal woman and cultural knowledge-holder Sonya Takau shares her family’s profound relationship with the dingo: not simply an animal, but kin, totem and teacher. The film draws a powerful parallel between the displacement of First Nations people from Country and the persecution of dingoes that followed colonisation, asking what becomes possible when ancient knowledge is listened to rather than dismissed. The film is already collecting awards and strong audience responses on the festival circuit. About the speakers Sonya Grant (Takau), founder of Dingo Culture, is a Jirrbal Rainforest Aboriginal woman and the National First Nations Dingo Coordinator, hosted by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation. Sonya works alongside Elders, Traditional Custodians and Indigenous Rangers across Australia to support their aspirations for dingo on Country and strengthen First Nations voices in dingo policy, management, and decision-making. Alix Livingstone is the founder of Defend the Wild, a not-for-profit organisation advocating for compassionate, evidence-based wildlife management. She works closely with Traditional Custodians, Indigenous Rangers, scientists and communities to protect dingoes and promote practical, non-lethal approaches to coexistence. Through Defend the Wild, Alix advocates for the protection of Australia’s apex predators and greater recognition of their essential role in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. Dr Linda van Bommel is a Canberra-based wildlife ecologist specialising in livestock guardian dogs and non-lethal predator management. Her research explores how guardian dogs can protect livestock from predators while supporting coexistence across Australia’s extensive grazing landscapes. Her work provides practical, evidence-based alternatives to lethal control and helps landholders protect both livestock and wildlife. James Vandersteen is an ANU PhD candidate investigating the role of dingoes as apex predators in the Australian Alps. His research is an investigation into the effects that lethal dingo control has on ecosystem structure and functioning in alpine environments. His findings will directly inform best practice evidence-based dingo management in the ACT. Local Ngambri (Kamberri) Wallabalooa (Ngunnawal) and Wiradyuri Elder (TBC). Why this conversation matters in Canberra The ACT is updating its approach to dingo management. This presents an important opportunity to ensure future policy recognises the ecological importance of dingoes, respects First Nations cultural knowledge and prioritises humane, non-lethal management wherever possible. This evening is an invitation to learn, listen, ask questions and be part of that conversation. Whether you're passionate about wildlife, interested in First Nations knowledge, curious about ecological conservation or simply want to understand more about one of Australia's most misunderstood animals, we look forward to sharing this special evening with you.