Drew Roberts is the founding father of Shared Knowledge, an organisation delivering Aboriginal cultural experiences in Sydney, Australia. Here, he shares what it means to hook up with Country and the way we are able to all do it respectfully and responsibly.
This weblog was delivered to you in partnership with Welcome to Country, a not-for-profit market for Indigenous experiences in Australia.
First, some introductions…
- Jinggiwala (How you doing?)
- Ngali na jugun (We belong to this Country)
- Ngali garima mala jugun (We take care of this Country)
I’m Drew Roberts, founding father of Shared Knowledge. I’m an Arakwal, Bundjalung man from the Northern Rivers, thereby making me a black sand, saltwater individual.
Shared Knowledge delivers Aboriginal cultural experiences to guests, vacationers and company organisations. We have been in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens and Greater Sydney Parklands for the final 5 years, educating locals and vacationers alike tips on how to stroll by way of Country in a respectful and conscious manner. We provide a wide range of experiences protecting subjects resembling bush meals, drugs and semiotics of conventional artwork, in addition to schooling and consulting companies to teams who want assist in constructing relationships and information of First Nations communities.
What is Country?
For Australia’s First Nations folks, Country encompasses a harmonious relationship between me as a person and my ancestral lands and water. Within our tradition, the three core fundamentals are respect, duty and reciprocity. These fundamentals are linked to the land and water that the folks use to channel the atmosphere and cultural information. As my Country is totally different to the opposite 249+ First Nations of Australia, each a part of my id is due to this fact totally different.
Palyku novelist and illustrator Ambelin Kwaymullina has this to say concerning the definition of Country to First Nations peoples:
“For Aboriginal peoples, Country is much more than a place. Rock, tree, river, hill, animal, human – all were formed of the same substance by the Ancestors who continue to live in land, water, sky. Country is filled with relations speaking language and following Law, no matter whether the shape of that relation is human, rock, crow, wattle. Country is loved, needed, and cared for, and Country loves, needs, and cares for her peoples in turn. Country is family, culture, identity. Country is self.”
First Nations cultures and communities are numerous, and there are various totally different nations and language teams all through Australia which might be essential elements of this nation’s historical past – and future id – that ought to be honoured. Many First Nation tourism operators worth, rejoice and promote First Nations peoples’ tradition, languages, relationships to Country, information and heritage.
Some of the good issues about travelling and having the chance to stroll on Country are experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of an historic folks – the oldest residing tradition on earth. Through my work with Shared Knowledge, I’ve discovered many travellers are searching for out larger authenticity and cultural engagement, and curiosity in First Nations tourism continues to develop.
How can travellers hook up with Country respectfully and responsibly?
To hook up with Country in a significant manner, it’s essential to recollect a number of key issues: depart your on a regular basis worries and duties behind. Return to the basics of tradition and recentre your self. Change your views with a view to journey flippantly by way of this continent’s numerous landscapes and Countries. And at all times bear in mind the core fundamentals once you’re exploring: Respect. Responsibility. Reciprocity.
Keep the next factors in thoughts when planning your travels to Country:
- Always do your analysis and journey with Indigenous-owned operators the place attainable. Welcome to Country has a variety of experiences on their web site, from a few hours to multi-day itineraries.
- Before you allow, be taught as a lot as you may concerning the Country you’re travelling to, resembling place names, tribe names, historical past and native legends. You might even attempt studying a few of the native language.
- Always ask permission earlier than taking images of individuals, ceremonies and landmarks.
- If invited, get entangled in cultural practices like dances and smoke ceremonies, the place chances are you’ll stroll by way of a smoking web site or be patted down with smoking leaves to clear any damaging power and obtain a protected journey by way of Country.
- Ask questions, drop your guard, and open your self as much as concepts, experiences and prospects.
Explore First Nations experiences with our accomplice Welcome to Country or try Intrepid’s vary of cultural experiences right here.