Common Ground Australia | Education website
Common Ground Australia
Reviews
to load big map
25.01.2022 All across Australia there are sacred sites that have been looked after by First Nations people since time immemorial. Everywhere you look are places that hold deep knowledge that is passed through stories from one generation to the next. Colonisation has made it challenging for the sovereign voices of the land to continue to protect these special places, but stories make it possible for all of us to learn about and celebrate these places for generations to come. Ricky Orr... is an Arrernte and Luritja man who is the Traditional Owner for Wurre, a magnificent sacred site south of Alice Springs. Through sharing stories of this special place, Ricky shares the significance of Wurre as it holds Songlines that cross families and languages. Through the First Nations Bedtime Stories Challenge, Ricky shares with us the Dreaming of this place, a Twertentye (a dialect of Arrernte) public story about a bat that comes from south of here. Through his words, Ricky teaches us to respect First Nations stories, culture and Country. #wurre #firstnationsstories #bedtimestories
23.01.2022 Are you joining us for the First Nations Bedtime Stories Challenge on the 16th of November? This is an opportunity for all people to come together to listen, learn and celebrate First Nations cultures; the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Throughout the week we are sharing stories from four language groups across Central Australia. Robin Japanangka Granites (pictured here), a Warlpiri Man, shares an important story about the importance of family and knowing your Cou...ntry and your connection to place. He shares the journey of a lost Joey in search of its family. Sign up via the following link to watch five stories over five days with people young and old, and keep celebrating in the week after NAIDOC. firstnationsbedtimestories.com #firstnationsstories #culture #bedtimestories
17.01.2022 The First Nations Bedtime Stories are currently being recorded with knowledge custodians near Alice Springs. We are so excited to be sharing these stories with you in November. These stories hold incredible significance to community and families that have been protecting them for a thousand generations. One of the storytellers sharing a story through the initiative is Peter "Coco" Wallace - a Senior Arrernte man, elder, song keeper, and storyteller. Coco holds Lore from the ...Central Desert, and is sharing with us the story of Irretye Arrentye, a Devil Eagle. His story shares the importance of having caretakers and owners of Country, and talks to the responsibility they hold for ensuring that Country and culture is protected for generations to come. I can speak for Antulye. I don’t speak for Mparntwe. But if people need me, I can help them. If they ask me. Because it’s all connected, see. All those stories were told and kept for us. To learn from Coco, sign up and join us for a week of storytelling 16-20 November. Keep celebrating culture in the week after NAIDOC Week www.firstnationsbedtimestories.com #firstnationstories #arrernte #knowledgecustodians
17.01.2022 Our connection is through our spirit form, or our liyan...those instincts need to be fed. And the only way I know is that we need to practice traditions from the past to keep those instincts alive and kicking." Yawuru Elder Uncle Micklo Corpus shares with us the meaning behind the Yawuru concept 'Liyan' which refers to spirit and wellbeing in a way that connects people, culture and Country. Uncle Micklo highlights the importance of listening to our instincts, our spirit and ...the connections it showcases to us. This is the second video in a series called Concepts of Country, Directed by @Marlikka_perdrisat a Nyikina and Wangkumara woman from regional Western Australia. Concepts of Country shares the value of relationships, showcasing how connections between you and time, country, non human beings, mothers and bio region provide a framework for identity, wellbeing and sustainability for all people. We feel honoured to be sharing Concepts of Country on Common Ground. This series showcases the rich knowledge systems of First Nations people that have been handed down since time immemorial, sharing lessons for all people to learn from. Director, Producer and Editor @Marlikka_perdrisat DOP @Adekponya Music Mark Coles Smith #liyan #conceptsofcountry #Yawuru #firstnationsknowledge #knowledgesystems #aboriginalknowledge
13.01.2022 First Nations people are intimately connected to the natural world. We refer to ‘Country’ - the lands, waters, skies, animals, plants and natural phenomena. Country goes beyond the physical too, and includes things that cannot be seen or touched. Animals are part of this relationship with Country. They play an important role in First Nations communities and are a foundation of economies, identity and sustainability. This relationship with animals is evident throughout First ...Nations knowledge systems. Animals are woven into the Dreaming, songlines and stories that have been handed down from our ancestors. They teach us lessons and illustrate connections between the natural environment and Country. Our friends Koala are supporting Common Ground to amplify First Nations voices, and spread awareness about the Australian environment and its wildlife. Together, we’re working on projects that will educate Australians about our precious native animals, share Dreaming stories, and center First Nations knowledge in conversations about the environment. Head to the following link to learn more about First Nations relationships with animals, and keep an eye out as we share some exciting work with you in the new year. https://www.commonground.org.au//connection-to-animals-and #alwayswasalwayswillbe #firstnationsstories #firstnations #koala #australiananimals
11.01.2022 Our land is sacred, our trees are sacred, our Country is sacred. The Djab Wurrung birthing trees have seen 50 generations of women give birth on Country. These are spirit trees, and have supported Djab Wurrung people for 800 years. A highway upgrade has threatened the trees and Djab Wurrung people have been calling on all Australians to support them to stop bulldozers from destroying Country and the sacred birthing trees. We shared these images just over a year ago, at one of... the crisis points in protecting the trees. We are devastated to hear that the directions tree was cut down yesterday after protesters were removed from the site. The directions tree is an incredibly important tree for Djab Wurrung people and holds significant storylines, spirit and connection for mob. Our heart goes out to all Djab Wurrung people, who have been working to protect Country. This is absolutely heartbreaking. The @dwemembassy is now on red alert and need your support in fighting to protect all the remaining birthing trees. To support, follow and donate to @dwembassy, amplify Djab Wurrung voices and read up on what you can do to protect this Country Photos by Justin McManus #djabwurrung #birthingtrees #firstnationsculture
08.01.2022 It's already the second day of NAIDOC Week aka Blak Christmas. This year’s theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ recognises the enduring connection First Nations people have had to Country and culture for over 65,000 years. #NAIDOCWeek is about celebrating First Nations people, and recognising the ongoing contributions and aspirations of First Nations communities. Celebrating our young people, our old people and Country. Our ancestors have been here since the beginning of time.... We walk in their footsteps forging an incredible future that centres First Nations ways of thinking, being and knowing. This young fella is at the beginning of that journey, celebrating his identity grounded in Country and culture. The National NAIDOC Committee shares that "NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to come together to celebrate not only Indigenous achievement but the history, rich culture, and survival of the oldest continuing living culture on the planet. To celebrate this year's theme, people all across Australia are being encouraged to acknowledge Country and acknowledge the elders, ancestors and communities that have been looking after Country since time immemorial. Post it on your stories or feeds, or in your physical space. Many events this year are going to be online. Head to the link in our bio to learn more about what's happening in communities across Australia. Thanks for this incredible image @trentwhite_photo - check out his feed to get a glimpse of moments that share cultural resilience, strength and celebrate blak excellence. For more on NAIDOC Week, head to the following link: naidoc.org.au #NAIDOCweek #acknowledgecountry #alwayswasalwayswillbe
07.01.2022 Are you busy in meetings - either in person or online? Take a moment at the start of gatherings to give an Acknowledgement of Country. It’s an important way to show respect to First Nations people, cultures and sovereignty. Make it personal and do it in your own words. Whether you're a visitor on Country, or on your own Country, it is important we acknowledge Elders, knowledge custodians and communities that have looked after this land since time immemorial. If you’re not Indigenous, try to name the Traditional Owners of the Country where you are, and pay respects to them. Click here to learn more. This image was taken at Turpins Falls, near the border of Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country. Image by @linseyrendell
06.01.2022 Who's signed up to watch First Nations Bedtime Stories with us in November? We are honoured to be working with Elders and knowledge custodians from across Central Australia to share stories that have been handed down since time immemorial. One of the storytellers sharing their story, is Doreen McCormack Caroll, Arrernte Elder, grandmother and knowledge keeper. Doreen shares the Euro creation story from Western Arrernte Country. As well as sharing the Euro story, Doree...n speaks to the importance of having strong kinship and knowledge systems that allow for stories to be passed down from one generation to the next. Head to the following link to learn more about the initiative and join us for a week of listening, learning and celebrating First Nations people and cultures. www.firstnationsbedtimestories.com #firstnationsstories #arrerente #euro
04.01.2022 "Bundy and his proud father, Zacharia at a newly rediscovered rock art site. Zach has just helped Bundy add his handprints to the generations of Nawarddeken who have painted and left their mark at the shelter over tens of thousands of years." What a special moment captured by Warddeken Land Management. Keeping culture strong through sharing stories and maintaining sites is integral to our future. Spaces like @karrkadkanjdjitrust ensure that First Nations people continue to s...trengthen cultural knowledge and connection to Country. Deadly work Bundy and Zacharia! Words and photograph by #WarddekenLandManagement #indigenousrangers #countryneedspeople #firstnations Nawarddeken See more
04.01.2022 Big congratulations to the incredible Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM for receiving the Queen's Birthday Honours Medal. Here's a pic of Tjunkaya sitting with her medal at @purplehousedialysis Tjunkaya is an incredible artist, storyteller and knowledge keeper. We were so lucky to record one of her stories in Pitjantjatjara with Lorna Wilson for last years Bedtime Stories initiative. The story she shared was an important story to hep young people consider the different paths they can tak...e in life, and find resilience and strength in adversity. Thanks @purplehousedialysis for this wonderful pic! Incredibly proud to know and celebrate Tjunkaya and her contribution to First Nations arts and community @ernabella_arts_pukatjapottery @tangentyereartists @tjanpidesertweavers #OAM #tjunkaya #pitjantjatjara #firstnationsstories
02.01.2022 ‘I pursued a life at university and higher studies. To our mob, Indigenous mob who want to study, be yourself and do what you think is right. Don’t be put down by anyone, because we are strong people and we need to stand up for what we believe in. Culture will do that for ya, it will make you stronger, our ancestors are there with ya. You not on your own, you are never on your own. Get with some mob that are there on campus and have a yarn and do things that are going to help... both parties through the hard studies and what not. Don’t ever be shy to stand up and say who you are, where ya from and what ya doin. Look forward to going back to your mob because they will be waiting for you no matter what happens.’ Important yarn from Uncle Pat Connolly from Wiradjuri Country. As more and more First Nations young people are studying in higher education, it is important the spaces that we enter embed First Nations knowledge systems, so all young mob can feel valued, heard and connected throughout their studies. This pic was taken by @renaesaxby through a @desertpeamedia project. Uncle Pat studied through @threeriversudrh, a program supporting First Nations pathways into health in regional and rural Australia. #pathways #firstnationsexcellence #blackexcellence #culture #Aboriginal
02.01.2022 As #NAIDOC Week draws to a close, we invite you to continue celebrating the strength and resilience of First Nations communities and cultures in the days, weeks and months that follow. Let's all keep coming together to celebrate and learn from First Nations elders. Join us for this year's First Nations Bedtime Stories Challenge. ... Watch five Dreaming stories over five days this week, told to you by First Nations elders and knowledge custodians from Central Australia. The first story has been sent out this morning, but it's not too late to sign up! (www.firstnationsbedtimestories.com/signup) This lovely image is of Eastern Arrernte woman Kathleen Kemarre Wallace, with Niningka Liddle. Kathleen is one of the elders sharing stories with us this week. Sharing these stories is integral to keeping cultural knowledge strong for future generations, so our young people can grow up in a country that celebrates them for their cultural identities and knowledge. #firstnationsstories #alwayswasalwayswillbe See more
