Gunya Titjikala

Tours

On the fringe of the Simpson Desert, 120 km south of Alice Springs, Gunya Titjikala offers a life-changing experience in the heart of the continent. Run by Gunya Tourism and the local Aboriginal community of Titjikala, Gunya gives the chance to be involved in local life, learn about art, be wrapped in stories, gather bush tucker and be shown the landscape - from the weathered mesas to the soaring drama of Chambers Pillar - through the eyes of traditional owners. A number of school leaders have had the opportunity to engage in this life changing experience of living and learning with the community for three days.

Past Tours

Some highlights from the participants:

"I did not have expectations, however, I will take away a great deal and deeper understanding with lots to reflect on."
"A real eye opener. A wonderful experience which I feel every Australian should encounter at least once in their lifetime."
"Made me reflect and question my preconceived ideas about Aboriginal people, question the underlying principals I live by in our society/culture. I realise how complex the situation really is."
"Brilliant combination of dramatic sites and the 'black and white' history."
"Many highlights - overall the opportunity to be made aware of the culture and living conditions, politics and natural environment. Opportunity to dialogue at the end of the day and around the campfire."

The landscape was extraordinary. Having the Indigenous locals being involved in our activities was rewarding. The kangaroo dinner preparation is something I will never forget.

The interaction with the community members - the chance to share their culture. There was more community involvement.

GARMA

A copy of the Festival and Key Forum Reports are available for download here

The Garma Festival www.garma.telstra.com.au is a celebration of Indigenous culture, ceremony and arts, focusing on the Yolngu people of Northeast Arnhem Land, combined with a forum on an aspect of Indigenous life, e.g. education, health, culture, or law. It is organised by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, and it is staged in the stringybark forest at Gulkula, south of Nhulunbuy, in Northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

The 2007 Festival had several strands:

• Key Forum a 3-day event. The theme for the 2007 forum was "Indigenous health: real solutions for a chronic problem". The program for the forum was organised by the Charles Darwin University. Presenters were drawn from all parts of Australia, plus Canada, New Zealand, and Samoa.

• Cultural Tourism, in which participants were involved in activities that focused on aspects of the culture of the Northeast Arnhem Land Aboriginal culture - including food gathering, spear making,
  art, music, ceremony, and medicine.

• Youth Forum, in which young people from the local area and elsewhere participated in activities designed to increase their knowledge of Indigenous culture and ceremony, including sessions on bush medicine, Yolngu culture, lino printing, and health and fitness topics.

• Indigenous Dancing - each evening, several groups from the region performed Bunggul - traditional ceremonial dance.

• Indigenous Bands - each evening, several bands from the Contemporary Music Training Program performed on a professional sound stage. Performances included Yothu Yindi and William Barton (a leading didgeridoo player and composer in the classical music world - [unrecognized tag: {LINK www.williambarton.com.au}].

About 2,000 people attended the Festival in 2007, from all parts of Australia and overseas.

To read the full report Click Here.

A delegation of 14 educators travelled to Garma as part of a Dare to Lead group, specifically to attend a three-day Key Forum on Indigenous education held as part of the event, and more generally to experience a unique cultural gathering.

To read the full report Click here.

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