“For me it’s been a massive journey to bring our people to the world again and try to take back our food sovereignty.”

Rayleen’s journey is very impressive.

She's bringing the unique flavours of bush foods to the world through her hospitality business Kungkas Can Cook, where you’ll find delicious blends of teas and bush spices.

Rayleen is well-known and respected for her insistence on using only wild harvest bush foods sourced directly from the women who gather the food, to support livelihoods and the important continuation of connection to story and Country.

She was also highly instrumental in establishing the Australian Bush Foods Alliance, where she is now Chair. It’s the only First Nations’ owned and led peak body dedicated to protecting the integrity and authenticity of sovereign foods and botanicals, celebrating First Nations’ culture as an asset.

Rayleen’s skills, knowledge and dedication was celebrated this year at Community First Development when she was awarded a Special Commendation for the Bill Armstrong AO Human Rights Award.

On receiving the Award Rayleen stated, “For me it’s been a massive journey to bring our people to the world again and try to take back our food sovereignty. It’s about recognising our contribution to an industry that is worth quite a bit of money now. Our people struggle to have our Intellectual Property rights respected. As yet, there are no requirements set in place around returning value back to people doing the wild harvesting.”

Throughout her lifetime, Rayleen has made significant contributions to research, including work with Traditional Owners and five different language groups, to develop ethical guidelines for the bush foods industry.

Self-determination is at the heart of what Rayleen does, respecting and being led by the women harvesters. Rayleen works in partnership alongside the women and First Nations’ organisations and businesses. She listens deeply to plan and get things done together. Most recently, this has been showcased through her work with the First Nations Bushfood and Botanical Alliance.

She was first inspired by the Putupi walk-in to become involved in land rights through activism and supporting families and anthropologists to record genealogies. This was the beginning of Rayleen's passion to preserve knowledge and connection to Country.

Growing up, Rayleen gained her passion for food from the influence of her mother and father who were both incredible cooks. Her passion and love for bush foods is reflected in her food creations and work.

Learn more about Kungkas Can Cook, or shop their delicious range, here: https://kungkascancook.com.au/