Country as Teacher - 2

We are excited to welcome you to our gathering around the fire with Djapirri Mununggirritj and the Culture College Mitji (team).

Our 'Country as Teacher' gathering aims to connect us 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.

Each week we will unravel and deepen our layers of understanding of Yolŋu knowledge and metaphors grounded to Country.

This conversation series has been driven by the desire of Djapirri Mununggirritj to come together in this turbulent time to share, learn, heal, and find greater balance - Dalatj Manapamirri. We will also be joined by fellow First Nations Elders and knowledge holders from around Australia who will contribute to the conversation and diversity of knowledge each fortnight.  

Djapirri Mununggirritj, Senior Knowledge Holder of the Gumatj clan of 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.

Some of Djapirri's wisdom.

"Sometimes the raypiny-gapu (fresh water) and damurrun-gapu (saltwater) come together to make that galiminduk-gapu (brackish water). When the waters first come together, it can be turbulent, messed up, disagreements happen, but eventually balance; Dalatj Manapanmirri, balance where calm waters run deep.

This is like when Näpaki (non-Indigenous) and Yolŋu come together here on Country, together we are finding balance as people to people.

But as time changes the gapu parts, salt goes back to salt, fresh goes back to fresh. Our life can be like that. What is in me that is very salty? And what is in me that is fresh and freshening?

It's like a metaphor in life that makes you really see the difference in everyone.

It's eye to eye, reaction on individual the person who wants to make a difference in their own life.

As I said earlier ...good listeners are the people! If you yap yap yap yap over here and yap yap yap over there what messages are we getting?

It's all but noise, there is no meaning in the noise.

But calm your body, your mind, your spirit and soul and you can see the Country speaking to you, the land and water speaking to you, because everything is us."

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 Safety.

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.

Pay as you can.

Suggested contribution is $30-$60 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. Scholarships are available upon enquiry.

Scholarship tickets are available upon enquiry.

We really look forward to you joining us!