Conference Papers
Session CG2.3. Connecting Generations: history, culture, storytelling and memory
1. Gwenda Baker and Joanne Garngulkpuy: Connecting Generations through Story Telling and Photographs: The ‘Remembering Mission Time’ Project
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The ‘Remembering Mission Time’ AIATSIS Research Grant Project took place with the support of the Yalu Marnggithinyaraw Centre at Galiwin’ku in North east Arnhem Land. The centre has an emphasis on cross clan co-operation and involvement in projects that support Yolngu values and initiatives in research, healthy living and wellbeing. It believes that ‘Yolngu health and education and nurturing is about caring and sharing ideas with each other with greater respect’. Clan elders are acutely concerned about the welfare of the children. Of a population of approximately 2500 people, 48% are under the age of 20 years. These children are healthy, active and intelligent, but to enhance their well being they need to reconnect to their Indigenous past and Indigenous elders who offer positive role models for their lives. The ‘Remembering Mission Time’ Project became part of the process of providing narratives about the past and pathways for the future. We collected stories and photographs about the life of the people during the mission that was established on Elcho Island in 1942. These form a resource base to help the children learn more about their history, and feel pride in the achievements of their families. For the elders it gave momentum to discussions about the past and the future: how did we get to this present situation and what can we do to improve the future for our children?
Author bio: Dr Gwenda Baker is a Research Fellow at Monash Indigenous Centre and an historian working in the areas of mission history, cross cultural gender relations and Aboriginal labour history. I have a long relationship with the people at Galiwin’ku, particularly the women. In 2005 I was awarded a Northern Territory History Award to interview people about their mission experiences as part of a larger study of Aboriginal history in mission times. In 2006 I began recording stories at Galiwin’ku with Garngulkpuy and women at the Yalu Centre. I interviewed leaders and other people about family stories and memories of working and living on the mission. These interviews complement extensive archival studies which connect people, place and history. My methodology includes using photographs to rekindle memories and promote story telling across generations.
Author bio: Joanne Garngulkpuy is a Wangurri elder, teacher, educator, researcher and coordinator of the Yalu Research Centre at Galiwin’ku, Elcho Island. In 2001 she was supervisor of the Yalu' Marnggithinyaraw project and chief investigator of the CRCATH Project 'Yolngu Theories of Transformation: The Yalu' Story'; associate investigator of the Psychosocial Impact Indicators SCRIF Project; helped develop the Yothu Yindi school curriculum for the local primary school; involved in collaborations with CRC for Aboriginal and Tropical Health; Menzies School of Health research, Northern Territory University. In 2007-2008 she was chair of the Council for Aboriginal Alcohol Program Services Inc. She has co-authored many social research documents which link the history of the community with health and social problems and with programs to strengthen family life and well being.
2. Brenda Croft: Still in my mind: Gurindji experience, location and visuality
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Still in my mind: Gurindji experience, location and visuality takes from the words of revered Gurindji elder and kadijeri (senior law man), Vincent Lingiari: '...that land...I still got it on my mind', a profound statement reiterating his deep commitment to his Gurindji/Malgnin peoples and their homelands on Wave Hill in the Northern Territory. This paper relates to a project that Croft is engaged with, developing an innovative account of Gurindji experience through the production of visual, ethnographic and archival reseach, while culturally immersed in the presenter’s community in the Northern Territory. The project aims to evolve a new framework for cultural education by intimately involving community members in its production and research and will refer to the 45th anniversary of the Gurindji Walkoff from Wave Hill, 26 – 28 August, 2011, which will include key participants in Indigenous issues over the past quarter century, prior to and since the Walkoff. Croft will particularly address ways in which the current younger generation of Gurindji community – from/within community in remote regions and as part of the diaspora – are able to engage with past, present positions and influence future dynamics, from a specifically contemporary, multi-disciplinary Gurindji standpoint.
Author bio: I am from the Gurindji/Malngin/Mudpurra peoples of Daguragu/Limbunya/Kalkaringi region of the Northern Territory of Australia. I was born in Perth, WA and have lived in many states and territories of Australia and overseas. I have been an exhibiting artist since the mid 1980s, and worked in Indigenous art and cultural organisations since 1987. From 1999 - early 2009 I worked as a senior curator of Indigenous art and culture at state and federal art museums. In March 2009 I returned to academic teaching, relocating to Adelaide to commence at UniSA. My previous forays were at the Canberra School of Art (1998) and Tranby Aboriginal College, Sydney (1992), and presenting guest lectures at national and international institutions since 1990. In April 2009 I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Visual Arts from the University of Sydney (Sydney College of the Arts). In 2001 I received an Alumni Award from the University of NSW. In 1995 I received a Master of Art Administration from the University of New South Wales (College of Fine Arts).
3. Michael Aird: Everybody Has a Story To Tell
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After working with photographic collections for over 25 years I have been able to share with numerous Aboriginal people the joy and excitement of finding images and stories of ancestors and relatives. In particular I have witnessed the pride that is shared by whole families when their stories are featured in books and exhibitions. I have worked with many Elders who are grateful for the opportunity to tell their story and also tell the stories of their parents and grandparents. They have seen this as possibly their last chance to document their memories about important family members that may have passed away and an opportunity to share these stories with younger generations. At times the stories the Elders want to tell may not match the expectations of young people. This could be attributed to the younger generations not understanding the implications of past oppressive government protections policies and the era of conservatism that our Elders lived through in order to survive in their traditional lands. My presentation will discuss the importance of giving Elders an opportunity to tell their stories and be recognised in exhibitions, publications, music, films and other forms of cultural product so that younger generations can understand their place in history.
Author bio: Michael Aird has worked full time in the area of Aboriginal cultural heritage since 1985, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Queensland. He has curated over 15 exhibitions and has been involved in numerous research projects. In 1996 he established Keeaira Press an independent publishing house and has produced over 25 books as well as calendars, brochures and other products. Much of what Keeaira Press has published focus on art and photography, which reflects Michael’s interest in recording aspects of urban Aboriginal history and culture.