The Fellows began their journey flying from all parts of the Country, they gathered for dinner along the Esplanade, re-connecting with each other after 3 months, yarning over some delicious pasta before resting for the big week ahead.
Our first day together we travelled to Copperlode Dam lookout, a significant meeting place for surrounding clan groups. Where we were welcomed to a Smoking Ceremony by young and proud Yidinji Custodian, Jiritju Fourmile. Welcoming us with a beautiful song in language, then sharing creation stories of the lands, colonial history, and deep insights into the Community. Afterwards, we drove to Stoney Creek Falls for a hike and we swam at the waterfall during rainfall. Jiritju’s vast knowledge of Cultural Practices, Country and Community was shared throughout the walk, and he showed gentle care to each of the Fellows and Culture is Life team.
Our activities throughout the week were mostly held at Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre, where the Fellows got to connect with an incredible youth founded, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Led and Governed organisation, Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG). Being welcomed into the DIYDG family, seeing how they empower the community, and attending the Cairns Premier of DIYDG’s first ever film titled ‘Voice’ was an honour! The Fellows showed us their “about me” slideshows, they each shared family history, upbringings and Cultural connections. Forming a stronger bond between each other and the Culture is Life team.
One of the workshops was facilitated by the multi-talented creative Talicia Minniecon (Kabi Kabi, Gooreng Gooreng, Kemer Kemer Meriam and Maluligal) founder of TTPOP and MobMadeMedia. The vulnerability displayed, the passion and grace that Talicia speaks, took each of our Fellows and team through a roller coaster of emotions. There were tears, there was anger, there was joy and there were big belly laughs! The Fellows designed their own unique handmade piece of jewellery with clay, then got to style up for a photoshoot with t-shirts from Clothing the Gaps. A quote from Talicia was “Our Ancestors keep us strong, our people keep us strong. Don’t ever feel like you’re alone, there are always people to connect with. Never be ashamed to reach out”.
A highlight for everyone was the opportunity to learn a Torres Strait Islander cooking practice known as Kup Murri, an Ailan (Island) version of the traditional underground oven. Each of the Fellows and the team had their go at preparing the meat, vegetables, and seeing how the food is cooked. Led by Uncle Wayne Christian, we heard stories of his family history as he guided us through each part of the Kup Murri preparation. A quote from Uncle Wayne was “Our old people hold so much history, the more knowledge you have, the more connection you have to yourself, your Culture and your people”.
The end of the week, we travelled to Yarrabah Aboriginal Community, 45 mins south of the City. We visited the newly built Arts & Cultural Precinct, which has a wide display of local artists’ creations, such as handmade pottery, paintings and screen printed designs on different materials. We met with a deadly brother Nathan Schrieber, a proud Gunggandji Custodian. He welcomed us in language, shared history and creation stories of his homelands as we walked through the Museum. We walked along the jetty, embracing the scenery of the saltwater and mountains, before returning back to the city to rest up after a huge week. A quote from Nathan was “we have to gather knowledge from our Old People as quickly as possible, so we can create resources to share and teach. The more our young people know, the stronger they will stand”.
The 2024 Fullaship Program participants at Yarrabah Aboriginal Community.
A common theme was weaved unintentionally throughout the week by everyone we connected with. Words of encouragement that our Old People before us, our Country and our people will always be our strength. We have an obligation to continue learning, listening and sharing our diverse practices and histories with one another. This is what keeps us connected.
Special thank you again to our family at DIYDG and Kunjurr Men’s Collective, Semara Jose, Merrissa Nona, Nona Nona, Bernard Sabadi and Phillip Yanner. Everyone who shared their knowledge with us, Jiritju Fourmile, Uncle Wayne Christian, Talicia Minniecon, Nathan Schrieber, and all the mob we had yarns with who made us feel welcomed in every space. To our Culture is Life team for the support during the intensive, and lastly, to our Fellows who always show respect and kindness to every person and place.
