This book "is a study of indigenous peoples' relationships to their homelands. Deborah Bird Rose explores indigenous realms of sacred geography, Dreaming ecology, land management, and the convergence of human and ecological rights. Drawing on song and poetry as well as on explanation and analysis, this book shows how Aboriginal 'countries' are known and loved, sung and recounted, owned and cared for to promote life. Formerly the hundreds of indigenous countries of Australia were interconnected and dependent on each other for the maintenance of life. Today, although fragmented and damaged, the nourishing terrains of Aboriginal Australia offer a unique possibility for human and ecological reconciliation."--Book jacket.