Useful links for engaging with themes within ngaratya – together, us group, all in it together

The artists in ngaratya (together, us group, all in it together) have explored a diverse range of themes, including; the plight of the Baaka (Darling River), waterways as our lifeblood, Ancestral connection, Indigenous plant use, Indigenous knowledge, innovation, bloodlines, cultural continuance, belonging, ecological pressures, histories and intergenerational learning are just some themes you will encounter. 

Primary and Secondary Links to Australian Curriculum can be made through: English, Science, Humanities and Social Science.

 
 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the classroom

The authors of the ngaratya education resource (Nici, Zena and Emma) have contributed to the publication Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art in the Classroom, and we highly recommend it as an excellent resource to utilise. You can buy the book (look for the newly-released updated second edition). You can access parts of this valuable resource online for free through the Art Gallery of South Australia website.

This resource is an excellent starting point for anyone engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, but particularly this chapter:

The Essential Introduction to Aboriginal Art – 25 Facts 

 

Map of Barkandji Country

 

Baaka/Barka Darling River 

Baaka Herald

The Baaka Herald by Raymond Zada with Zena Cumpston is an artwork (in the form of a newsprint) created to collate many of the ecological concerns and dialogues that have been occurring recently in relation to our Baaka (Darling River).


The Australian Museum learning resource for Barka – The Forgotten River exhibition

This resource has many excellent activities and exploration that also directly relate to the themes and explorations of ngaratya.


Understanding the fish kills on the Baaka/Barka

Over recent years many catastrophic fish kills have occurred on the Baaka. This video helps to explain how and why these ecological disasters have been happening.

 

Exploring what Country means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Tarnanthi 2019 – Badger Bates

In this video Uncle Badger (William) Bates helps us to understand his relationship with and responsibility to the Baaka as a Barkandji wiimpatja.


Statement from the Indigenous authors of the 2021 State of the Environment report

Every five years the Australian government releases a comprehensive report to assess the state of the environment. In the most recent report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors were included for the first time. Read their introductory statement here.


Welcome to Country by Ngunnawal Elder Jude Barlow

Ngunnawal Elder Jude Barlow talks about the importance of Country and the difference between a Welcome to Country and an acknowledgment of Country.


Land is our future: Caring for Country resource by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council

The text explores Aboriginal Peoples' custodial responsibility to and spiritual bond with Country and some of the challenges they face in having their rights and responsibilities recognised.

 

Barkandji/Barkindji language

Click here to see an acknowledgement in Barkindji/Barkandji language by ngaratya artist David Doyle (Barkindji/Malyangapa) as part of a group talk ngaratya artists participated in online, Barkindji Ways of Being (Begins @ 7mins:18)

Language conventions

You will notice that through the exhibition we often use lower case for the language words we utilise and share with you. This is a way of asserting that that our languages sit outside of the alien conventions of the English language.


Title - ngaratya (together,us group,all in it together)

The title ngaratya (together/us group/all in it together) is a Barkandji/Barkindji word that speaks to the foundation of the show – our collective travels on Country. ‘Together’ also speaks to our wish for all people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to accept our shared responsibility for keeping Country, our Mother, strong and healthy. So the title ngaratya (together/us group/all in it together) speaks not only of us working and travelling together and the processes we went through as a group to make this exhibition on and with Country, it speaks also to the need for all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to come together to keep Country strong and healthy for all.  

As a group, we chose the title of our exhibition with guidance from our Barkandji Elder Uncle Badger Bates and lots of assistance and discussion with ngaratya artist David Doyle who also holds language knowledge and expertise. 


More useful links to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages

 

Appropriation

The use of Aboriginal language for titles and naming, even for Aboriginal people, requires careful consultation and discussion to ensure usage is culturally correct, driven by those who have intimate knowledge, and have the right to incorporate it. When Aboriginal language, motifs, designs, knowledge and other forms of cultural expression and heritage are used without proper consultation and permissions, especially by those outside of the culture from which it emanates, this is form of appropriation.

You can find out more about appropriation and how it harms Indigenous peoples and communities in the video below:

 
 

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