An Explanation for the article: “Lost Land: A Pocoecocritical Study of Select Poems of Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)”

 

An Explanation for the article: “Lost Land: A Pocoecocritical Study of Select Poems of Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)”

 

Introduction

Dr. Suresh Frederick’s essay, “Lost Land: A Pocoecocritical Study of Select Poems of Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)”, published in Contemporary Contemplations on Ecoliterature (2012), combines postcolonial and ecocritical perspectives to analyse the poetry of Oodgeroo Noonuccal, an Indigenous Australian poet and activist. Dr Suresh Frederick who has coined the term, “pocoecocriticism”, made use of this term in his lectures from 2006.

 

What is Pocoecocriticism?

Pocoecocriticism is a hybrid framework that merges “Postcolonialism” (which examines the cultural, social, and political impacts of colonization, especially on marginalized groups) with “ecocriticism” (which studies the relationship between literature and the environment). Dr Suresh Frederick uses this lens to explore how colonial exploitation affects both Indigenous peoples and their natural environments, emphasizing interconnected oppressions of land and culture.

Overview of the Essay

Dr Suresh Frederick’s essay focuses on select poems by Oodgeroo Noonuccal, including works like “We Are Going” and “No More Boomerang”, to highlight the dual loss of Indigenous land and cultural identity under colonial rule. He argues that Noonuccal’s poetry reflects a deep ecological awareness tied to Aboriginal spirituality, where land is not just a resource but a sacred entity integral to identity.

Key Themes and Arguments

1. Colonial Dispossession of Land and Culture  

   Dr Suresh Frederick shows how Noonuccal’s poems mourn the theft of Aboriginal land by European settlers, portraying it as both an environmental and cultural tragedy. In “We Are Going”, the land’s degradation, urbanization, deforestation, mirrors the erosion of Indigenous traditions. He frames this as “ecological imperialism”, where colonization disrupts harmonious human-nature relationships.

2. Indigenous Ecological Wisdom  

   The essay emphasises Noonuccal’s portrayal of Aboriginal knowledge, which views humans as part of nature, not its masters. Frederick contrasts this biocentric view with the anthropocentric mindset of colonizers, who exploited land for profit. Poems like “No More Boomerang” critique modern industrialization while longing for pre-colonial ecological balance.

3. Pocoecocritical Resistance  

   Noonuccal’s work, as Dr Suresh Frederick interprets it, is a form of resistance. Her poetry reclaims Indigenous voices, advocating for environmental justice and cultural revival. By blending postcolonial themes (oppression, identity) with ecocritical ones (land, sustainability), Dr Suresh Frederick argues that Noonuccal challenges the colonial narrative that dehumanizes both people and nature.

Analytical Approach

Dr Suresh Frederick employs textual analysis to unpack Noonuccal’s imagery and tone. For example, he highlights her use of stark contrasts, barren urban landscapes versus vibrant pre-colonial ecosystems, to underscore environmental loss. He also connects her activism (e.g., her role in Indigenous rights movements) to her writing, showing how her poetry serves as both art and advocacy.

Significance

The essay is significant because it bridges two critical fields, offering a nuanced way to understand literature from colonized regions. By focusing on Noonuccal, Dr Suresh Frederick elevates an Indigenous voice, showing how her work speaks to global issues of environmental degradation and cultural erasure. It also contributes to pocoecocriticism as a growing framework, encouraging scholars to examine how colonialism’s legacy continues to harm both ecosystems and marginalized communities.

Conclusion

Dr. Suresh Frederick’s analysis underscores the urgency of listening to Indigenous perspectives in environmental discussions. Noonuccal’s poetry, through his lens, becomes a call to rethink humanity’s relationship with nature, challenging readers to confront historical injustices and their ongoing ecological impacts.