We as Aboriginal people share our gift of generosity, our gift of love, our gift of reconciliation to make connections with people across Australia as one family. It's a time for change, recognition, and conversation. Let’s get together and hear the voices of First Nations people - our climate is in crisis. Through a change of mind, language and ways of being and doing we act upon it. It's serious stuff now!" (Djapirri Mununggirritj)

Through the old ways of connecting around the fire to the new ways of connecting via Zoom, our ‘Country as Teacher’ gathering aims to combine these two worlds in balance and deep listening, to go back to our roots, back to the Earth and be held by the wisdom of Country to guide and support us as our teacher.

Knowledge Holders:

Djapirri Mununggirritj is a Senior Knowledge Holder of the Gumatj clan from northeast Arnhem Land. In her role at Culture College as ‘Community and Cultural Manager’ and as one of our lead Directors, Djapirri informs and guides the organisation through her cultural lens. Her presence and strong vision for true reconciliation is the bedrock of what we do. Djapirri is the widely respected for her deep understanding of Culture, language and commitment to her people.She is driven to find greater balance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships and knowledge systems and is well known for her work across Australia and the world.

"I bring to you the reality of connecting to Mother Earth, of calling Country Mum, Country as my teacher. I call it a bush university. It may burn, but it will come alive again, flourishing our children, people of all walks of life, and understand that our Country needs healing, and we need that healing from our Country.”

- Djapriir Mununggirritj, 2021

Larry Gurruwiwi is the eldest son of Galpü clan leader Djalu Gurruwiwi master of the Yidaki who carries the knowledge and Bärra (West Wind) songline. Larry has learnt alongside Djalu as he carries this knowledge forward in his own unique and powerful ways. He is also the a part of the renowned Yolŋu band Bärra alongside his two brothers Jason and Vernon.

"We sing that thunder, My people we are the Galpü people from Gullymala my Country, we sing that lightening. When we see the lightening that means the new season coming for the land. We always sing the other tribe, Yirritja, Dhuwa, Yolŋu people we always share culture, dancing, singing, clapstick. I got my band called Bärra, when I sing, I sing to my people and the land that my father taught me. When we sing for the land we heal the land, that's my father taught me. Because he always see in the nature, he’s the nature man my father".

- Larry Gurruwiwi, 2021

Ella Noah Bancroft is a descendant of the Bundjalung nation and inspiring change maker, artist, storyteller, mentor, active advocate of the decolonisation movement and founder of The Returning- "retracing our ancestral steps to rewrite a new paradigm of living".

"Inspire others to return to Country as part of our reconciling with one another. Connecting people back to their own ancestral story and recognising the unity that we have all shared of disconnect. We all share this disconnect regardless of our race, gender or sexuality. For me I never had to question the meaning of life, every day I wake up and ask myself how will I be connecting deeper or disconnecting deeper? I am constantly in connection with – Grandmother – Land, Mother – My Community, Me the granddaughter, the student, constantly in service and humility to both my community and the land. The same way I am in service to my mother and my grandmother."

- Ella Noah Bancroft, 2021

Lionel Lauch is a Gunditjmara Kirrae Wurrung-Bundjalung man, residing in his home country on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Lionel's passion is expanding and sharing his vast knowledge of cultural practices, stories, production of artefacts and traditional tools, bush foods and medicines, healing, building practices, artworks, music, dance, traditional ceremonies and contemporary engagement programs.

“I teach people about the importance of the land. The land can live without us, but we can’t live without Mother Earth.”

“I teach respect and healing and I help other people, black or white, to get through their problems, as I have experienced a great deal of what life can throw at you.”

- Lionel Lauch, 2021

Why?

This gathering series has been driven by the desire of Djapirri Mununggirritj to come together in this turbulent time to share, learn, heal, spark new shoots of growth “the Yuta Bit Pit” and find greater balance “Dalatj Manapanmirri”with each other and Country.

“Dalatj Manapanmirri, becomes one voice, one sound, one journey. One journey across our nation, but one journey across the globe. That we can come together and recognise each other from different walks of life, but overall, it’s the name of love that burns like the fire, that unites us to be sitting around the fire.”

(Djapriir Mununggirritj, Culture College, 2021)

Each week we will unravel and deepen our layers of understanding of Yolŋu metaphors grounded to Country. We also invite First Nations Elders and knowledge holders from around Australia to gather and contribute to the conversation and diversity of wisdom.

Please note that the ticket revenue goes towards retaining employment on Country, through Culture for Yolŋu and First Nations Culture College partners during COVID-19 and the development, delivery of conversations like this.

Pay As You Can.

Suggested contribution is $35-$100 AUD for those in medium-higher income participants or those with greater means. Please note that the ticket revenue goes towards retaining employment on Country, through Culture for Yolŋu Culture College employees during COVID-19 and the development, delivery of conversations like this.

You will receive the Zoom recording via email and an invitation to the next event at the completion of the gathering.

Scholarship tickets are available upon enquiry.

About us - Culture College Arnhem Land Aboriginal Corporation.

Culture College Arnhem Land Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit social enterprise guided by the wisdom of Yolŋu Elders, who are directed by the cultural vision and knowledge of the Djalkiri (Yolŋu foundation). Culture College creates opportunities for Yolŋu and Näpaki (non-Indigenous) to come together and find balance. We believe as a nation, we can move towards greater balance when our "Birrim Birr Dharanganmirri - your spirit and my spirit come together and reconcile with each other" (Djapirri Mununggirritj, 2021). Culture College believes spiritual reconciliation is possible through two-way relationships and deep listening to each other and Country. Through this conversation series, we are creating opportunities for Yolŋu Elders and wider First Nations cultural mentors to maintain employment on Country, through Culture during these uncertain times of COVID-19.

Cultural Connection.

This gathering is developed and delivered under the direction and determination of Culture College Yolŋu directors. We aim to create a safe and inclusive online community space where everyone feels safe, seen, heard, held, and respected during this conversation.

Below are some key points to understand and be aware of that foster's respectful relationships between Yolŋu and Näpaki. Please note these cultural points are specific to Yolŋu in Northeast Arnhem Land and can differ from other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural groups around Australia.

Listen and Observe. We welcome you to engage in this two way flow of conversation. Ask questions and surrender to silence while you unravel and digest the depths of this wisdom felt deeply in your body.

Challenge yourself to listen and learn from your heart. The head may become confused as the knowledge swirls within you like the fire. Stay with it, the new knowledge shoot of growth sparked deep inside will continue to unravel and unfold when you least expect it.

Questions are often met with silence. In Yolŋu culture this is perfectly normal. Not being met with the answer to your stirring may be an invitation to listen more and surrender to the process. For Yolŋu learning is lifelong, and knowledge is held in deep in layers. 'Garma' is the public knowledge layer and what we are welcomed into. Not all knowledge can be shared as some is private, and some is sacred.

Practice Patience. Yolŋu take time and care when choosing their words to share; in many ways this is much more than Näpaki society are accustomed to. Be mindful of this in conversation with Yolŋu; if you jump in to fill the silence, there is a good chance you will miss out on the wisdom that may have been coming your way. Be patient! Yolŋu are comfortable with silence.

We really look forward to you joining us

Nhama Yalala,
Djapirri, Larry, Ella, Emy, Troy and the Culture College Mitji