Film about Wiradjuri philosophy, Yindyamarra honoured by State
AFILM produced by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) PHD candidate in collaboration with Wiradjuri Elders was named a finalist in the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards, Best Creative and Innovative Design category.
The film, ‘Yindyamarra Yambuwan (Respecting Everything)’, is part of Bernard Sullivan’s doctoral research at CSU.
It explores the Wiradjuri concept of “Yindyamarra”. This unique Wiradjuri word for a way of life based on deep respect, reminds us of our responsibilities and shows us how to get along with people and how to care for country.
The Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards showcase the outstanding work of media professionals who connect people to their culture, identity and language.
Sullivan’s research investigates how creative professionals may best engage in collaborative, culture-centred, Elderled projects.
“From a personal point of view, a nonaboriginal man born on Wiradjuri country, I have spent my life looking for ways to live a balanced life,” Sullivan said.
“I have studied European and Eastern philosophies and cultures that have taken me all around the world, but I don’t know anything like Yindyamarra. As an attitude to life based on deep respect, from the place I was born, it is the way to live in this country. Yindyamarra has brought me home.”
Whilst completing his PHD with CSU, Sullivan was also part of the first graduating cohort of students in CSU’S Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage.
The film ‘Yindyamarra Yambuwan (Respecting Everything)’ explores twenty different aspects of Yindyamarra built on years of deep conversations with Wiradjuri Elders. It includes a spoken monologue in Wiradjuri by Sullivan, based on these conversations, having learnt the language under the guidance of Dr Uncle Stan Grant as part of the process of making the film.
The cinematic images document a journey of personal discovery and immersion in Wiradjuri country, showing the birds, animals, rivers and trees of Wiradjuri country and how they amplify the multiple qualities of Yindyamarra.
Sullivan said: “In the not too distant past, within my lifetime, the Wiradjuri, their culture and their language were actively suppressed. This film is an act of respect and recognition. It is a way of standing in solidarity with the Wiradjuri people. The Elders and I wanted to share with others just how beautiful the Wiradjuri language and culture based on Yindyamarra still is.
“As Dr Uncle Stan Grant has taught me, language belongs to country, when we speak Wiradjuri on country, we show respect. Whether Aboriginal or nonaboriginal, Wiradjuri or non-wiradjuri, through language we are able to connect to where we live in a richer fuller way.”
“The film makes an eloquent and practical contribution to the multicultural debate by bringing-to-life the ancient Wiradjuri concept of Yindyamarra challenging many misconceptions. Through deep respect; this Wiradjuri philosophy reminds us of our responsibilities, it teaches us how to organise relationships and connect to country.”
‘Yindyamarra Yambuwan (Respecting Everything)’ is currently being used by Elders to support cultural presentations, and as a learning resource and cultural education tool for schools and universities. It will be a cultural asset for the Wiradjuri people into the future.
The film is also a record of transformational change and growth, both in the self-understanding of the filmmaker, and as part of the Wiradjuri community revitalisation now taking place, it is hoped it promotes deep healing and respectful relationships between cultures.
Yindyamarra-yambuwan supports the recovery and renewal of Wiradjuri language, culture and heritage for modern times and rising generations, this production gives us all common ground from which to achieve greater social cohesion and community harmony.
An exhibition at the Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery titled ‘Burambabirra Yindyamarra’ (Sharing Yindyamarra) will begin on September 17, 2016. The exhibition will feature Sullivan’s film and accompanying language and culture videos, animations, books, photography and artwork that have been developed collaboratively with Wiradjuri and Nigyampaa Elders.
Sullivan is a non-indigenous artist and has a background in a number of creative mediums having degrees in creative arts and animation. He has made a number of animated films and documentary video projects. He has travelled widely and been involved as an educator and course developer in Australia and overseas.
Throughout his current Doctoral studies at CSU he has worked collaboratively with Wiradjuri Elders investigating ways creative professionals can engage in culture centred, Elder focused and respectful approaches to empowering and supporting communities through creative media.
He is working with the Wiradjuri Language and Cultural Heritage Committee, a joint initiative from CSU and the Wiradjuri Council of Elders. In addition to the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries, the research project is informally linked with other schools at CSU including Education and Indigenous Studies.
The film makes an eloquent and practical contribution to the multicultural debate by bringing-to-life the ancient Wiradjuri concept of Yindyamarra challenging many misconceptions. Through deep respect; this Wiradjuri philosophy reminds us of our responsibilities, it teaches us how to organise relationships and connect to country – Bernard Sullivan