COMMENT: The jigsaw of cultural understanding
MOSSMAN GORGE
These presentations are designed to educate and enhance the understanding of indigenous culture for all and any organisations who work closely on a regular basis with indigenous personnel and their heritage.
I was invited to attend the day long course for two reasons. Firstly, as a freelance journalist for Newsport and the PORT DOUGLAS Magazine to support the reconciliation efforts of the Gorge and their team which deserves to be acknowledged and promoted to the widest possible community. The more the media becomes involved the more the local community will understand the indigenous culture the less the conflict and misunderstanding.
And secondly, in my capacity as a Director of Mossman Print and our regular contact with indigenous community when assisting with their all too frequent funeral services. The dedication with which the family members and elders carefully organise the services to pay tribute to the life of the deceased and their families is exceptional.
In my ignorance of this ancient culture I’ve found it very easy to inadvertently offend or make a mistake without meaning to.
Taking all this into consideration, I felt it was vital that I attend the sessions to ensure I do my best to understand what I was supporting and how to do it accurately, sensitively and sympathetically.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but after Ranger Harold, better known as ‘Mooks’ led through the smoking ceremony to ensure we were all welcomed properly to wash away our negative thoughts and feelings and encourage only our positive self to enter, we took our places in the training room with its immaculate rainforest outlook.
Through a series of personal stories, Warren Clements, our charismatic moderator for the day kept us involved during the day long learning journey.
The course took us through understanding the clan groups, family relationships, respect for the elders, tribal lore, communication with the land and the rich local history.
Warren led us thoughtfully from the dark ages of the 19th and early 20th century when the indigenous population were often mistreated having to endure displacement from their homelands and through misguided government ignorance forced to learn the settler’s language in preference to their own. The course is often a confronting journey and no topics are avoided no matter how uncomfortable it makes the trainees feel. This course is committed to taking you through many of the inconceivable trials and tribulations suffered by the indigenous people to ensure you realise how to achieve a viable future together.
Our predecessors unwittingly mixed regional tribes when moving the tribes with no consideration to established society, language and customs. This led understandably to fear, unrest, anger and confusion.
Many attempts by successive governments to implement their own often thoughtless plans made things go from bad to worse. Somehow the indigenous population hung on to their traditions, heritage and society despite being perpetually under siege.
I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise that today these traditions, heritage and sense of community have survived. After all the indigenous society is the oldest structured society in the world and whilst there may be many excuses for why such heinous activities were often carelessly perpetrated against the traditional custodians of this amazing land, the net detrimental effect of all these actions is none the less wretched.
It’s incredible to think that it was only in 1967 that the Protective Law was changed from the Indigenous population being protected under the Flora and Fauna Act to a more acceptable Act of Protection thus launching the first steps to reconciliation. It took another 40 years however, before in 2008 Premier Rudd offered an apology to the indigenous people on behalf of the Australian Nation.
There is still a long way to go in supporting this ancient society, a society that still has as much relevance to the tribal community as it did 50,000 years ago. The lore of the land has remained unchanged regardless of the trials of the last 200 years of settlement. The lore of the land still works as well alongside the laws of modern Australia. These lore’s have sustained the environment and supported the ancient structured society across Australia
Gradually in the 21st century, modern Australia is getting to understand the indigenous population, it’s culture and its ancient structured society and this understanding leads us away from racism, bigotry and ignorance of culture.
In this contemporary world, life will be easier and more comfortable for all Australians if this oldest structured society becomes an integral part of our lives. This Cultural Awareness Course is playing its part to push aside ignorance and warmly welcome us to embrace the indigenous culture and enjoy everything that it signifies to this land and its original people. Sign up for the course and the world will look a little different!
* Please Contact Mossman Gorge Centre on (07) 4099 7000 or visit www.mossmangorge.com.au for diary of future courses.