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National Reconciliation Week May 27th – 3rd June

Embrace the difference

It has been suggested that when Captain Arthur Phillip and his British fleet settled at Port Jackson on 26th of January 1788, relationships between the Indigenous people and the British were amicable. It was not long, however, before cultural misunderstandings began to arise. Since the Aborigine people had not undertaken conventional British practices such as establishing fences or farming the land, white settlers perceived their culture to be primitive and inferior to their own.

British patriotism further fuelled this sense of inferiority with children’s books emphasising the heroic attributes of British men who had endured the harsh elements of the Australian landscape. These books usually portrayed the villains as black natives. It is not difficult to understand that through these writings children were made to think that Indigenous people were inferior, even dangerous.

This attitude and understanding cultivated over many decades was set to change when 1967 a referendum was passed which removed clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aborigine and Torres Strait Islander people. Over 90 % of Australians voted for this change, yet today we still witness inequality. Each race has its separate core values that are fundamentally different. Both values should be recognised and embraced as different.

The ultimate goal of reconciliation is to build strong and trusting relationships between the Indigenous people and other Australians, as a foundation for success and to enhance our national wellbeing.

Many of you know that we have been working on a theatre production with dance that bridges the gap in cultural diversity. Blending together Western style with that of the Indigenous people of Australia. A reconciliation of sorts, a recognition certainly and a celebration of the differences and deep richness that epitomise our individual cultural heritage.

Soon we will bring this show to stage, stay tuned as we keep you informed of our progress. On a point of difference, we leave you with this insightful quote.

‘As much as I live I shall not imitate them or hate myself for being different to them.’ (Orhan Pamuk, Turkish Novelist and Nobel Prize Winner)

Mundu

In Djabugay language (language of the Tjapukai, or Djabugay, people), ‘mundu’ stands for spirit, feelings, intuition and desire. Its meaning is the inspiration that underpins our dance theatre production depicted through a compilation of traditional and contemporary dance and music. A journey that takes us through loss, separation and heritage – with a strength that holds onto the past while embracing the new.

It encompasses the internal and external struggles of two cultures coming to terms with enormous change and displacement from their origins. The young Indigenous boy torn from his home, taken from those he loves, who nurtured and supported him and taught him the ways of his people to a place so very strange to him, with a completely different set of values and beliefs. A young European girl removed from her roots and transplanted into a strange and foreign land devoid of all the comforts and familiarity of home by well meaning parents looking for a better life.

There is of course so much more – however, we will need your support. If you are interested in being part of this, please click here, fill in your details and leave a short comment – we are looking forward to getting to know you and working with you.

There is an urgency to tell this story, no more time to waste.

‘Change starts when someone sees the next step’. (William Drayton, American Politician, 1776 – 1846)

Enjoy and listen to the taster of the music for ‘mundu’ (click here)

Behind the scenes

While it is extraordinary to realise that historically cultures may have had no idea of each others existence (New Year – Yesterday and Today), it is even more extraordinary to realise that there is so much going on behind the scenes that people are still unaware of!

It is a tragedy that in a society supposedly as culturally advanced as Australia, little is done to protect the family and social structure of the indigenous people. What we think of as history is still a problem today (Our Generation).

How can we highlight the daily injustices still blighting a people so poorly misunderstood but so easily judged?

We have been working hard on a theatre production that will bring awareness to this problem through music and dance. The script is complete, the music scored and the cast ready to rehearse.

It has been a long time since I promised an Indigenous Elder to tell their story. As an Austrian he trusted me to give an unbiased view. As a researcher he knew I would search for the facts. As a stage designer he believed I have the ability to bring the story to many…

‘No culture can live, if it attempts to be exclusive.’ Mahatma Gandhi (Lawyer, 1869 – 1948)

New Year – Yesterday and Today

No matter the time of year, throughout the cultures New Year is seen as a time when we reflect on the past and look to the future. A time when we see what we have been up against and resolve to make changes, a time when past adversity meets present determination. It seems that this is the time through different cultures when New Year resolutions are made – firm decisions to do or not to do something.

The month January gets its name from Janus – chief among the ancient deities. This two faced god – one looking ahead, one looking behind – was honoured by the Roman celebrants of New Year who spent the day looking both backwards, in reflection, and ahead – planning the New Year. The Romans believed that what they sowed on the first day of the New Year would carry them through the rest of the year. Thus it was a day of giving presents, abstaining from impure or cruel thoughts, postponing and ending quarrels, and generally trying to be nice to each other.

February marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Traditionally this was a time to honour deities as well as ancestors, and reunion of the family.

The now deceased Murador Aborigine tribe certainly saw it this way. Present day calendars put their New Year as the 30th October. This day was a time of reconciliation and celebration of friendship, placing great importance on the past as well as the year that was coming.

It is extraordinary to realise that while historically cultures may have had no idea of each others existence, they all shared this common thread for New Year, understanding that for things to change we have to change.

Do we need to wait for New Year? Or is it more important to understand that today can be the new beginning, giving us the choice to dwell in adversity – or resolve to live with determination.

Do you believe that change can only occur on the first day of the New Year? We believe that now is the time to face adversity, and steadfastly, resolutely, make it submit to the pressure of determination for a brighter, stronger future.

‘Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.’ (G. K. Chesterton, Author, 1874 – 1936)