The Prince and the message stick
Words, voices and images: Connecting to cultures around the world
Words, voices and images: Connecting to cultures around the world
Photos: Buku and Creative cowboy films
When it comes to standing strong and connecting globally, the Yolŋu set the gold standard for us all. It is in this way and in April 2018 that Prince Charles visited Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land.
There are two actions that are both essential and possible in a globalised world. The first action is standing strong and protecting culture and language, the second action is the idea of projecting culture outwards and embracing the world.
When it comes to standing strong and connecting globally, the Yolŋu set the gold standard for us all. It is in this way and in April 2018 that Prince Charles visited Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land.
After sacred ceremony including welcome to country on Mt Nhulun, the then Prince visited Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre and its artists in Yirrkala as the dancers performed a honey bee bunngul.
“I was excited to see him come into my father’s and grandfather’s place” Ishmael Marika, Mulka Project creative director
Prince Charles has shown both interest and concern, particularly in relation to cultural destruction, regarding Australia’s Indigenous people and it is important for both Prince and Yolŋu that this relationship continues to flourish.
In the photo above Ms Wirrpanda is discussing the rather wonderful book / catalogue that accompanies the Midawarr | Harvest exhibition (published by the National Museum of Australia) with Prince Charles who was presented with a copy. The Midawarr | Harvest exhibition, which is now touring Australia, is about the important food plants of East Arnhem Land as described by Ms Wirrpanda and John Wolseley so beautifully on bark and paper.
Both Mr Wanambi (above) and Ishmael had met the Prince on previous occasions and in London. The Prince now on Yolŋu soil and hospitality is returned.
The Prince did not leave empty handed.
There are two actions that are both essential and possible in a globalised world. The first action is standing strong and protecting culture and language, the second action is the idea of projecting culture outwards and embracing the world.
When it comes to standing strong and connecting globally, the Yolŋu set the gold standard for us all. It is in this way and in April 2018 that Prince Charles visited Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land.
After sacred ceremony including welcome to country on Mt Nhulun, the then Prince visited Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre and its artists in Yirrkala as the dancers performed a honey bee bunngul.
“I was excited to see him come into my father’s and grandfather’s place” Ishmael Marika, Mulka Project creative director
Prince Charles has shown both interest and concern, particularly in relation to cultural destruction, regarding Australia’s Indigenous people and it is important for both Prince and Yolŋu that this relationship continues to flourish.
In the photo above Ms Wirrpanda is discussing the rather wonderful book / catalogue that accompanies the Midawarr | Harvest exhibition (published by the National Museum of Australia) with Prince Charles who was presented with a copy. The Midawarr | Harvest exhibition, which is now touring Australia, is about the important food plants of East Arnhem Land as described by Ms Wirrpanda and John Wolseley so beautifully on bark and paper.
Both Mr Wanambi (above) and Ishmael had met the Prince on previous occasions and in London. The Prince now on Yolŋu soil and hospitality is returned.
The Prince did not leave empty handed.
Today (9/4/2018) the Member for Nhulunbuy, Yingiya Mark Guyula, and many Yolŋu clan leaders (convened by Dennis Wanambi and Waka Mununggurr) met with His Royal Highness Prince Charles at the Buku – Larrŋgay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala. The Member for Nhulunbuy made the following declaration:
“This here is Yolŋu Land, we are sovereign people and we live by Yolŋu law".
"We have many difficulties with the Australian Government because they do not recognise our sovereignty. We need to correct this situation, for the sake of our children and their children, for our cultural survival, for our ancestors. We are the oldest living culture in the world.
I request, on behalf of the people standing before you, and the Yolŋu nations that you intervene on our behalf and take a strong position to acknowledge our sovereignty and promote a pathway to Treaty.
We are the only indigenous people of a Commonwealth country that does not have the respect or dignity of a Treaty with our people. Will you advocate on our behalf for our justice?
Please accept this letter stick and create a diplomatic passage for this letter stick from your highly respected position to the Prime Minister of Australia, in order to help our sovereign nations reach Treaty".
Prince Charles graciously accepted the letter stick.
Our congratulations to (the then) Prince Charles on his endorsement as the next head of the Commonwealth.
East Arnhem Land and we join Laklak Burarrwanga and Djawundil Maymuru at Buku-Lanrrnggay Mulka Art Centre. This is Yolŋu country.
We look back to 2014 and the stunningly beautiful community of Yirrkala. It is also a place where a lot of very clever stuff happens and the world knows it.
We join Napuwarri Marawili as we select a hollow log for the artist to create a larrakitj or memorial pole. The hollow log, bark removed, will be sanded and prepared and then painted using the traditional and sacred designs of Napuwarri’s clan.
Among the very precious things in Australia is the cultural knowledge of its Indigenous people. Today and at the Mulka Project’s home in Yirrkala, this knowledge and the latest technology meet, two knowledge economies entwined.
Photos: Buku and Creative cowboy films