Island time
My professional world has changed significantly and if you were to tell me a year ago that I would be travelling once a month for work, I would never have believed you.
It has taken me awhile to put my thoughts on paper about my recent trip to Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) Arnhem Land with one of my deadly (great) Directors Fiona McKenzie from Orange Compass because it’s more of a feeling, a realisation, an emotion, a connection, an awakening that really makes me tingle all over.
However, I would like to share my insights with you if you’re open to them…
From the moment we connected with the Djalkiri team I was keen to learn more about what Yolngu people do in their community where they still live a cultural way of life and speak their lingo (language) fluently. It has taken a while to build our connections but once the team felt we aligned they were keen to collaborate with us on such important business.
We’ve collaborated and yarned numerous times online and when the Arnhem Land trip come up this was the icing on the cake for me. When they told us the details, I was speechless finding out that we would be Welcomed by Yunupingu Matriarchs, I really couldn’t believe it as they are like my Royal Family!
Now also knowing I am way off Country from my urbanised/modernised/disconnected bubble I knew I had to do the right thing and yarn with the CEO Mel about preparing and following the necessary cultural protocols that were expected of me on her Country.
Over the years I’d heard different things from other’s experiences in the NT including my brother who had been to Groote Eylandt and shared “You’ve just got to go and experience it for yourself, trust me you’ll feel it!” He didn’t lie! From the moment we landed at The Gove in Nhulunbuy on that deep red Country with the glistening white sand, clear turquoise salt water and green trees, I felt it!
After three flights we were greeted with hugs and had dinner where the sunset was picturesque, and I am unsure of exactly how many photos were taken that evening as the sky and water kept changing colours.
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Next morning I felt blessed being taken to a sacred place where Yolngu people still come together for ceremony, you could feel this place was special through both the Country and the trees.
We drove past the Captain Cook Shopping Centre on Arnhem Road where the Yothu Yindi Foundation is located and for the life of me I couldn’t understand why the shopping centre name still remains today!
Onto Buku Art Centre with a fully guided tour from Mel and seeing a replica of the Bark Petition and the typewriter it was typed on blew my mind! We yarned with the team about their generational recordings of lingo that they possess, and this made my heart swell too! Sadly at this point I realised that my mob don’t have this back home due to it being taken and stopped during invasion and colonisation over the years.
Off to the island and it was sad to see the huge boats that line the waterways taking Yolngu People’s Country. What else are they taking artefacts, bones, remains and other significant pieces as well, why would they do this, I really don’t understand? Further out now and I’m taking in the landscape, listening to the stories about sacred Country while the boat is humming across the water. At this point I had entered into Island time…
Once sorted and settled at the Banu Banu Eco Resort we were Welcomed to Country by Aunty Djalinda who shared a Dreamtime story, relevant knowledge and yarned in lingo explaining how and why we were Welcomed to her Island home.
Being guided by the Aunties meant we had to work their way and on their time so, our working hours were during cooler times through the day and evening, under fans and trees with a sea breeze that also included a nap, swim, walk or yarn. It was different, yet so productive and we still got the work done too in amongst plenty of cuddles with Mel’s little bub! I even managed to nap with Aunty Yalmay by the ocean as the waves were so soothing for my mind and wellbeing.
Our time together was needed to learn about the community and the stunning Country where the food was yum and fresh. Where the collaboration was authentic and heartfelt and the company was knowledgeable, welcoming and humorous. I was in awe of this special moment that I had been chosen for in my time where the sun glistened over the water through the day and where the moon and stars twinkled so bright at night.
When it was time to go Fiona and I said goodbye to the two black crows that follow us when we collaborate together across the continent. I cried as I said goodbye to the Aunties like this was my Country and they were my Aunties. I cried again when I listened to Gurrumul while flying out over his sacred Country and now understanding his music on a much deeper level. I even dreamt of my time here and appreciate our connection is deep…
Since returning home and reflecting I’ve realised my lingo and culture has not been taken or stopped, but my Old People and my Ancestors have buried it, to protect it. And now, it needs unearthing, and no matter how long it takes I will continue to do my part and pave the way for our future generations to do theirs, just like my Old People have done for me. I may not see, feel or experience the equitable and meaningful change that my people need in my lifetime but I will do what I can to keep us moving forward when the opportunity presents itself. After all it Always was, Always will be Aboriginal Land…
