On Country with Dr Noel Nannup OAM
Zal Kanga, our Advocacy Development Officer, spent three days on Country with Dr Noel Nannup OAM. He was taught song, dance, story and art, learnt how to find native potatoes and tubers and was not just told the Carers of Everything story, but shown the story, which marks itself in the land throughout the southwest of Western Australia.
The Carer’s of Everything storytelling. Photo credit: Zal Kanga
Acknowledgement
I acknowledge Dr Noel Nannup OAM for sharing parts of this story and knowledge. I offer my respect to Elders past and present on the country which I have been learning about and express my commitment to supporting young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. I am committed to truth telling, supporting my relations to understand what has happened in this country and respect healing and move forward together. At Propel we are committed to unity for young people.
The Carers of Everything
On the first day, a story was shared. The Carers of Everything is a story. You can read it here or listen to it on a CD by Noel Nannup here. It speaks through the glacial periods, the hills forming, the animals, the stars, the rivers and lakes, the ocean and of course the underlying purpose for all of us, to care for everything. As we read or hear this story, we are able to find confidence in our paths. Through this, all Western Australians can find an understanding and purpose of our future together and our role; to care for everything. In my life and at Propel, this story has been a deep underlying thread to our KickstART Festival in 2018, National Science Week - Moonboorli 2019 and further into the reconciliation and strategic plan of the organisation. This narrative and momentum has offered a sense of healing in stark contrast to the narrative of competition and pressure many young people face today. Going on Country and following the granite rocks, the dancing grounds and gnamma holes has offered a deep sense of learning and connection, that which really requires anyone who is reading this to go on a trip and then to understand through experience.
Sand art & smoke. Photo credit: Zal Kanga.
Art
The second morning we woke up to the smokey remnants of the fire. Noel gently guided everyone to a section of sand and began drawing. He expressed the waterways, the paths and significant sites we moved through the day before.
Message stick Noel Nannup. Photo credit: Zal Kanga.
Rebirth
By the fire, Noel shared the story of the glaciers, showed us the abundance of foods that existed, connected us to the river and to the animals and plants. Everyone came together to share this beautiful moment. This energy supporting our role together at Propel to care and connect young people with nature and themself through our programs and initiatives.
Learning about bush tucker. Photo credit: Zal Kanga.
Learning about bush tucker. Photo credit: Zal Kanga.
Further Resources
Moondang-ak Kaaradjiny: The Carers of Everything by Dr Noel Nannup OAM
Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
Noongar Bush Medicine by Vivienne Hansen
Noongar Bush Tucker by Vivienne Hansen
Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe