There is no time like the end of year holiday, when we've really slowed down for the year, to learn more deeply about the Country we live on. Although there has been a lot of turmoil this year, there has also been an important focus on Indigenous sovereignty and land rights, and community safety in the face of COVID-19. Learning about and connecting with Indigenous culture in your local area is the first step to providing allyship and establishing a meaningful connections to the country we live on.
You don't need to go far because there are a variety of different ways to connect in your own town (or without leaving your house) and hey, you might (almost definitely) learn a cool thing or two in the process!
Many of us have finished up work for the year and are ready to relax, read a book, watch a show or spend time doing literally anything but work. There are ways we can do this while learning more about the land and the Traditional Owners!
Next time you go to look for a book, reach for something written by an Indigenous person. Consuming media made by Indigenous people offers a direct perspective and supports diversity in the arts. We want to support and uplift these communities, not burden them. Introducing a variety of voices into your social media feeds and doing research when things come up that you aren't too familiar with will help you to educate yourself and encounter new ideas and perspectives. Indigenous cultures are some of the oldest living cultures in the world. The stories and history of the traditional owners of the land are integral in helping us to connect with the land.
Give Blackfulla Bookclub a follow on instagram to have options all year round!
Here are a few other books written by First Nations People:
- My Tidda, My Sister by Marlee Silver and Rachael Sarra
- Bindi by Kirli Saunders
- Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
- Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
- The Tall Man: Life and Death on Palm Island by Chloe Hooper
- The Yield by Tara June Winch
- Fire Country by Victor Steffensen
- Talking to my Country by Stan Grant
Talk to your local bookstore or library to find out about any Indigenous writers in your area!
If reading isn't your thing, try a documentary or film instead!
There's an abundance of lists out there if you're not sure where to start: This list of 10 films made by Native American filmmakers, this list compiled for International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples or this selection of Indigenous-made films by filmmakers from diverse Nations across Canada
Here's a non-exhaustive list of films by First Nations Australian Directors:
- Samson And Delilah by Warwick Thornton
- Finke: There And Back by Dylan River
- WIRRIYA: Small Boy by Beck Cole
- Yulubidyi: Until The End by Curtis Taylor
- In My Blood It Runs by Maya Newell
- Beneath Clouds by Iven Sen
- Bran Nue Dae by Rachel Perkins
- The Sapphires by Wayne Blair
- Spear by Stephen Page
If you're thinking about getting outside for a little fresh air during the holidays, consider booking an Indigenous-led walking tour. Indigenous tourism includes activities such as art exhibitions, artistic and cultural performances. There are tours focusing on different aspects such as native bush tucker tours and rock art walks. There is an experience for everyone!
"Country is not just a beautiful place, to us it is everything," says Juan Walker from Walkabout Cultural Adventures. "It holds out stories, our religion, our customs and our ancestors."
Finding a walking tour (sometimes they run in national parks) close to home will give you insight into the place you spend most of your time. This is a great resource for finding Indigenous-led experiences if you are in Australia.
Whatever you decide to do this holiday, there are plenty of ways to learn about and connect with Indigenous culture. The more we all listen to indigenous wisdom and stop thinking of the earth as seperate from us, the better equipped we will all be to fight for a better future.
Header image: Unsplash
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